(HOW DID YOU SURVIVE?) they ask.

how much did they have you bleed;
how long did they make you suffer;
how low did they force you down;
how dark did they tint your dreams?

     —until you had their blood glistening on your teeth;
     —until your suffering paled in comparison to their own;
     —until it was their throats pinned under your boot;
     —until you learned to enjoy the sounds of screams.

                                                          (I DIDN’T.) you reply.