Dum Spiro, Spero

Do you know what it is to be trapped? Do you know what it is to have your arms tied behind you? Do you know what it is to see where every possible exit is, but also be helpless to get to any of them?

Do you know what it is to be forced to your knees by angry drug dealers? Do you know what it is to have none of the answers to their questions? Do you know what it is like to suddenly understand why they brought a sledgehammer and a rusty, metal pipe?

Do you know what it is to lose teeth? Do you know the taste of it? Do you know the white flashes in the brain? Do you know the ringing in the ears?

Do you know what it is to watch your blood spilling onto the concrete floor? Do you know what it is like to see the moonlight so beautifully reflected in that blood?

Do you know what it is to remain defiant anyway? Do you know what it is to lay on the floor, barely conscious, and tell these people – “Dum Spiro, Spero?”

Well - I do know.

“While I breathe, I hope.”

- Just a peasant