Negotiation with Death

Take me!
The room is closing in,
The crib is bitterly cold,
But my hand grasps
It just the same.
Take me!
I'm weeping, pleading,
Brought down to this
Last level, but mercy
Is not his game.
Take me!
My heart bleeding,
Shrieking, already
Dead, but somehow
Just keeps pounding.
Take me!
It's all a blur
Surging through my
Heavy, aching head
The cries sounding,
"Take me instead!"

I won't give in,
Though I'm just
A marionette, ready
To join my husband.
Take me instead!
He will never
Get my baby,
For I'm his mother-
His safety's threatened.
Take me instead!
Sounds so childish,
But I just couldn't
Live without him,
Both of them.
Take me instead!
Death stares at me,
So frightening,
Ready for all
Of my family,
Mercy! Please!

Never ending,
I see his frustration
Mounting and I
Cannot fathom his hesitation.
Mercy! Please!
My screams echoing,
Just wanting,
Wanting;
Waiting, waiting,
Not Harry!

My last wish,
My dying words,
Partially will they
Be granted,
Not Harry!
Sobbing, tears streaming,
I refuse to leave
My vulnerable son;
I offer meager protection,
"Take me!"

The room fills
With unnatural green light
And speeding death
To slay my life.
Take me!
My will is ebbing,
My sight darkening,
My heart stopping,
My body falling...
Falling...
Falling...
Falling...
Falling...