like a sparrow in white snow
did he once stand in time
Innocence Exhaled
A gladiator now
his innocence expired
once of virgin mind
pure and untainted
where no guile stood
fired
like a sparrow in white snow
did he once stand in time
the sun now has melted
the frosted innocence
youth wore
as he entered the arena
of blood sport and horror
a spectacle walking
scarred face wincing in dread
and fear casting a scent
captured in nostrils
a stench
not to disappear
He had stood there often
amidst the jeering crowds
walled roar
but today, one of difference
only a moment to explore
as the part man, part demon dark
did face him in stark
entering in dark and swarthy
attire and heart
the gladiators mind jumped
back into time nailed in past
he for a brief moment
could taste his first kiss
of she who once cradled
his head
then in her lap
he sighed as he heard her
call darling so soft
then he remembered the
moment, dismantling his thought
he pondered as he stood there,
his innocence exhaled now gone
how he missed the steeped innocence
that once laid upon his heart
there he stood
feet firmly planted in earth
freshly blood drenched
both victim and slave
bloodspiller for sport
if he stood as the last man
victorious once more
he could visit the demons
that the night watch
kept stored
to win was to lose
for the blood never ceased
for the conqueror and victor
another opponent must face
more fierce and formidable
than the one day before
to win was to lose,
yet to lose was far more
he sighed,
steel eyes
once sculpted in soft
browns of gay
but now simply steel,
cold hard and gray
filled both his hands
and eyes this day
his innocence exhaled
with the drop of first blood
he stood one quick moment
then turned back to front
he knew it was odd, this
decision he'd made
the crowd roared hot in displeasure,
as he first felt the blade
entering his backbone,
thrust clean through his heart
he slumped in fast crumple,
spirit, flesh steel mixed in heap
but a smile he wore
lost innocence regained
and inhaled once more
as he closed his eyes
in her lap evermore.
In dying he flew home, to her warm loving lap, to be held there forever...innocent once more
Candy
Reviewed by coni lea harris (Reader)
Reviewed on April 18, 2003
if this were not about humans, their hearts, their souls, I would almost swear it took me back to the time when I would sit and watch the bull~n~the matador,,,what an excellent piece; although sad, she really riped his heart into shreds,,,
Reviewed by Laurance Pearsongreer (Reader)
Reviewed on April 17, 2003
I really liked the imagery, it evoked flashing scenes in my mind.
oh, such beauty and pain, such imagery and such inner demons flying bravely into words...and love, sigh...so difficult and again, yet, as at the ending of the poem, such a soothing balm, exhale, oh...!!! Many Bravos, just so moving...
mi
A further collection of poems, many from years in the Middle East, but also the California San Francisco and Central Coast areas (Santa Cruz, Carmel, Big Sur, Berkeley, etc.).
“The woman or man who is a poet, or fiction writer, or playwright, or all of these, is engaged constantly in a jazz ballet of vocabularies, passions, genders, histories, perspectives, death, love, and life. The music of revelation announces itself to
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Candy
mi
Trixie
I was raised on those gladiator/hercules movies as a kid!!! My father used to work out at the same gym as Steve Reves...remember him.......
I am not sure if this is a symbolic write...or sort of a poetic story...
I have no problems admitting when I am lost!!!LOL...no pride here!
but I enjoyed this so much
yer making me think!!!
very very goooooooood!!!
ty
A
:)
but a smile he wore
lost innocence regained
and inhaled once more
as he closed his eyes
in her lap evermore.
Just so beautiful!
Reindeer