a violation of gang rules
thuds land against the body
resonating a hollow punching bag
grunts grow into groans
into a long whining inhuman cry
<for two minutes>
"Breathe" they say
as they beat him
"You can do it," they say
as they mash his flesh
with their fists
Encouraging him
like a Doula at childbirth
delivering rebirth, penance
mad misguided monks
chanting unholy prayers
to Kings, and Queens, and pitiful things
Don't pretend you don't hear the cry
from that cheap room
on the dirty street
across town
For we committed this violation together
and that kid just took a beating
for all of us
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