Pull yourself up
grip the chains that hold you up
see them coming
know what comes next
and scream
the blows rain down
and you can't do anything
ribs are breaking
blood is flowing
you don't understand.
I DIDN'T SIGN UP FOR THIS
for torture
for pain
for so much hate
no.
I wanted to fight for justice
for honor
for those who needed protecting.
Not for this
not to be abandoned
to be left to die for my government
to be left to bleed for my country
to be left to scream for nothing.
They ask so much of you
but you don't understand their language
roaring Arabic between blows
asking for secrets
that you don't know
(or do you? you don't even remember).
And finally they leave you
bleeding and bruised
hanging from a chain in a dark room
where you keep screaming
if only to know you're still alive.
