(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.