(growing Pains) Caesarian Section Poem by Janice Windle

Bells shrilling,
mind screaming,
no, no, take me...
you lying trapped,
passive...
take me instead, she has to live...

... tug of stitches
needle through living flesh...
they saw my eyes
flicker, I suppose.

They freed you from
my body’s treacherous haven
as your heart slowed
and my feeble efforts
failed to offer you a route to life.

Then they mercifully
put me under
and I slept.

When I woke
your small amazed face
was gazing into mine.
You pounced
greedily
fastening your lips
around my generous breast
and I knew then
you were my daughter
and I would always
love you.