Torture

My  back hurts
The little boy said
As they put him on the rack
To cure the pain

Don't worry
You  won't be down here again
They  mouthed
As the handle turned

Then  he just
Lost the place completely
And  his back blanched
And  all was boiled and white

Then  the pain was gone
And  the boy had left
But they carried on anyway,
Their turning, without him.

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