Phillip Alan Green - Gladiator

‘I am dead.’ This echo races through my mind,
Breathing deeply I await the feelings,
The shadows of my life come forth.
As I stand beneath the entrance of the ring.

I can sense her soul next to me,
And with it images of a cancer body, frail in cot,
I recall opening you veins to free you,
And now you rejoice with the God’s of death. As will I!

Unbeaten am I until this day,
Is it strange what a man will do for love?
The tear states the truth that I miss you too much,
And for this reason I die this day.

Metal blocks my future, my destiny, my fate,
And in the darkness although he sees me not,
I see him; the look of an eagle surrounds,
And my power grows as I sense his hate.

I walk out into my future,
To the scream and cheer of the mass,
I raise my weapon of death,
Silently I salute her.

All is silent until steel on steel meets,
Skilled as I, is he that holds my fate,
Thrust and parry reflect my miserable existence,
And I cast aside my weapon and kneel at his feet.

Thumb down at my choice!
I lean forward as tears greet dirt,
Ages pass awaiting the killing…….!
I am awash with gentle voice.

Soft hand to brush bloody tears,
And misty eye clears to her face,
Is it you, I am indeed dead,
I feel love, no fear.

Cast aside this mortal fleece,
Drowned in light and cheers and screams,
They fade and I’m carried away,
To the everlasting sleep and peace.

Phillip Alan Green

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