Afterbirth

First, light ... then sound ... then hints of pain
but no, it's more ... unease
a feeling something simply isn't right
as new connections in the brain
and latent circuitries
are silently instructed to ignite,

she woozily wondered where she was
and tried to look around
but found her limbs were heavier than lead
she shivered as a constant buzz
assailed her with a sound
that chilled her - till she heard within her head:

We couldn't save your biomass
but did record each thought
before your cells completely decomposed,
your chassis is 'Adaptive Class'
meticulously wrought
and should complete whatever task is posed,

the batteries recharge from light
of any type at all
and should survive through any type of wear
so now you can resume your flight
(we did an overhaul)
to ferry your genetic freight with care.

Then suddenly she seemed to be
transported to her ship
her brand new body functioning quite well,
she watched her benefactors flee
a smile on her lip
then checked her charts and gave the engine hell,

and eons hence, an offshoot breed
may grow among the stars
because of one with nerve to persevere--
determined to protect her seed
regardless of the scars,
an aeronaut, a matriarch, a pioneer.