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Freedom In the Arena

hot is the noon sun
melting flowers in the mud…
arena cheers for raw blood

I glare at my foe
his dagger raking bruised knee
…weight of life upon my  shield

fierce blow cracks his neck
rudis pressed  on stained chain mail…
breath smelling of freedom’s prize

audience casts flowers
thumbs hunger for next combat
more slaves to kill… but not me.


©


*rudis---when a gladiator is set free as a slave
  after a bout,  he is given a wooden sword, 
  named rudis.


For Amy Green’s Choka for Chokehold
By nette onclaud

lifewarchoka

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Bl Devnath

June 2, 2012 at 11:21 AM

Lovely worded about rudis, loved always, bl

Andrea Dietrich

June 1, 2012 at 7:30 PM

So you gave yourself the rudis. WAy to go with that clever thinking, Nette. I just love your "thumbs hunger" line! you know, Amy is blogging about getting hardly any choka for this contest, but I've read at least seven really good ones so far. How can she only have three that qualify? I don't get it!

Sara Kendrick

June 1, 2012 at 4:41 PM

That rudis will be raised to the winners' circle...Enjoye reading your entry..Thanks for the comments on my work...Sara

Daver Austin

June 1, 2012 at 11:48 AM

What a price for freedom, eh. Luck in the contest. Love, daver

Gwendolen Song

May 31, 2012 at 11:35 PM

You not only captured the intensity of the fight, you showed the stadium's response as well! This is the most powerful entry! (Educational too!) You have done some great work lately...congrats on all your winning successes...I still have a lot of catching up to do...Hey, did u see mine?...I can't remember..Critique me teacher. There is not a sensitive bone in my body! hahaha. Again, this is smashingly excellent, Nette! :) Gwendolen

Poet Destroyer A

May 31, 2012 at 9:46 PM

your the best..next to me of course...kidding...hugs...pd

Linda-Marie Sweetheart

May 31, 2012 at 9:14 PM

awesome Nette luv.. amazing insight into a world forgotten in time now.. I recall seeing "Gladiator" and it was interesting and electrifying as this poem .. much success in Amy's contest luv.. seems soon as I left my friend Amy surfaced again.. so happy ..

Patrick Cornwall

May 31, 2012 at 7:22 PM

wonderful poem Nette.====>Patrick wonders how you did in contest... But bravo

Joann Grisetti

May 31, 2012 at 6:01 PM

Well done choka for the contese - sure to be a winner.

Harry Horsman

May 31, 2012 at 2:58 PM

excellent poem, and a wonderful subject. good luck in contest.

Jack Horne

May 31, 2012 at 1:19 PM

wow, I could almost hear the roaring crowd with this one, Nette. Congrats on all your wins : )

Terry O'Leary

May 31, 2012 at 10:51 AM

Wonder call for freedom... Super poem... I love it and its message... Terry (& thanks for your kind comments)

Russell Sivey

May 31, 2012 at 7:45 AM

What a powerful write my friend! I expected nothing less from an extremely talented woman such as yourself Nette! This write is full of life and death within its threads! There is excitement in every line showing grandeur and animosity between the two fighters! Perfect poem my dear friend! Great Work!!