NaPoWriMo Challenge (Day 14)

Challenge to write a poem every day for the month of April NaPoWriMo


April 12th (day 12)

Beaten but not Beaten!

Shackled to a chair gasping for air

Blood on the floor waiting for more

Now all alone I am hurt to the bone

Yet inside I smile

Day after day they have tortured my body

Still I am strong I have given them nobody

Cut with a knife and beaten with a stick

Russian roulette as I hear another click

Haven’t seen the sun for days on end

Yet its warmth shines brightly as my honour I defend

Tell me the names of the men you protect

Punch after punch only strengthens my reject

Yesterday I was close, close to confess

Today I am past the limit, I couldn’t care less

You have played your hand and given me your best

I have now come through your barbaric test

You didn’t break me on the first day, now your methods have failed

The more you hit me just makes me more proud

I won’t give you anything, only my scorn

Any hope you had is now forlorn

Take off my blindfold, let me see your eyes

I can taste your frustration as your self respect dies

Hit me, strike me, let me feel another blow

But your never force me to tell you all I know

I am willing to die and go to my grave

With a smile on my face knowing friends I have saved

Let them live long and let them be free

Let them remember the friend in me

I will rise into heaven with my soul complete

You have taken my life but yours is defeat

Open your arms to me Jesus my lord

I went out fighting holding my sword

So who has won and who has lost

You can have my life but at what cost

You tried everything you knew to make me talk

Now get out of my way and let me walk

You’re a coward, a rat, a man full of doubt

Look at me now as pride I shout

Just walk out the door and leave me alone

I am stronger than you though you’ve bled me to the bone

Doesn’t matter anymore, anything you do

I’m willing to die as long as I’m true

You smashed me near death now you know your mistake

Two men in a room, only one man is fake

I’ve took your blows and took your threats

And all that you have done is learned regret

The only thing left is you’ll hear me rejoice

Defiance and pride are filling my voice

I see your anger I smell your hate

But I’d rather die true than have your fate

I have won, you have lost

Now walk away and remember the cost…

Joseph Henry Gaines