Learnt Language

After being
held
captive
for
an entire
existence.

You've become so
accustomed to
the pain
that instead of
wailing a
grimace forms
on your face
as natural
as a smile
and tension
pulls
the corners
of your
mouth closed.

The whip cracks
skin open and
a sting
permeates. Blood
barely
drips
before the
next crack strikes -
Effortless. Fluid.

Whip-pa.
Whip-pa.
Whip-pa.

All of a
sudden you
realise that
the lashes
and lacerations
are at your own
account.

It's not a betrayal
of your
body unto
itself.

But the only
language
it's ever
learnt
to speak.