He looked like
A body-builder
Tall, tough, and full
All muscles and no fat

His mind was simple
Suited to follow orders
No questions asked
Acting mean and mechanical
Like any bureaucrat

Grew up in the army
From base to base
Serving as a soldier
But really more like
A hired mercenary

Killing and training others to kill
Didn’t know why
But it was his profession
Killing others was nothing
Out of the ordinary

He loved to wear a uniform
So when he retired
From the army
He applied and was hired
As a prison guard

But more importantly
He loved his new weapons
Hand cuffs, leg irons, a baton
Giant keys to lock and unlock
A filthy tongue to humiliate
To control and intimidate
All prisoners pretty hard

But this prisoner wasn’t the typical
Always reading and writing
Whenever he tries to humiliate him
Or intimidate
He smiles back

Tightening the handcuffs around his wrists
Squeezing the grips around his arms
Or the chains around his waist
Yet, he doesn’t complain,
Get angry, or nag

One day the frustrated guard
Opened the cell door
Determined to break his will
To puncture his calm
Shake his self-confidence
To wound his pride

They locked eyes
Exchanged glances
But quickly he threw him
On the floor
Pulled off his clothes
Tore up his books
Broke his pencils
Flushed down his food
Grabbed him by the neck
Repeatedly punching him on the side

But as he looked down
At his face
He became angrier and angrier
The more he punched
The wider his smiles
The harder he kicked
The more defiant his eyes

Although he got his way
He sat down sweating
Exacerbated and tired
Unable to take his breath
While looking at his prey
With hatred and revile

But in spite of a bruised,
Blackened body
Despite eyes half-opened
Bloody nose, and swollen lips
His broken teeth still showing
Through his wide smile

Bewildered, he asked him
Why do you smile?
Why is your head held high?
Why are your eyes dry?

“Becauthe¹ my mind ith² liberated,
And my thpirit³ ith free,”
Said he
The depressed guard became sadder
And begged him to cry
_______________________________
1. Because     2. is     3. spirit