When I refused to look away

An involuntary shiver convulsed my body

My body felt violated, my mind felt violated

I could still feel the fingers latching on to my skin

I could feel the pain pulsing down my back

where the lathis had broken skin crimson and blue

For I had dared to stand up, and hold my head up

For I had spoken words that the Emperor disdained

they were true, they were powerful, they were free

The soldiers ran their cold hands along my skin

I felt every touch in every pore, my hair stood on end

They gagged my mouth and shone searing light at me

They laughed at my thoughts, they were strange to them

They called me names that were reserved for the poorest

Names that were for the landless, the homeless, the outcastes

Names for ones who had lost their lives while still alive

Names for ones whose dignity had been solicited away

I look back into their narrowed eyes, I am hit and hit again

I look back into their furrowed brows with sweat dripping off
And I see just another human, anxious to please their master
I see just another human, bigoted and tribalistic, but a mother
or a father, or a friend or a lover, just another human