I am not marble, I am meat
strapped to the altar of Rome
where hands strike harder than whips
and each slap splits me open for the crowd.
The emperor nods and I am bent low
my back striped red with every blow
their palms rain down until I gleam
slick with sweat, spit, and punishment.
My ass is raised like a conquered province
bruised purple, trembling, displayed
…
