A Prisoner's Dream For Freedom

The cave descended down the alley,

My feet a burden of lead;

The stone walls-an envelope of dark,

Where shadows don't help.

The leather whips came lashing down,

With my skin a holy red;

The shape of my bloodied feet,

Imprinting the cave bed.

My rat-eyes squinting around,

Beholding a pinch of hope;

Though no way, not even a crack,

Carried the escape door.

As the last blow came crashing down,

And my knees buckled and fell;

The whip-carriers left me there,

Moved on, without a backward glance.