Bells shrilling, br mind screaming, br no, no, take me... br you lying trapped, br passive... br take me instead, she has to live... br br ... tug of stitches br needle through living flesh... br they saw my eyes br flicker, I suppose. br br They freed you from br my body’s treacherous haven br as your heart slowed br and my feeble efforts br failed to offer you a route to life. br br Then they mercifully br put me under br and I slept. br br When I woke br your small amazed face br was gazing into mine. br You pounced br greedily br fastening your lips br around my generous breast br and I knew then br you were my daughter br and I would always br love you.