Gladiator

Gladiator Chosen from slaves Trained to fight He was placed in an arena A sword and shield his only defense He fought and killed Spilling the blood of a hundred onto the sand His final match he fought bravely Defeated the emperor spared his life Never fighting again he was bound Tied between two pillars of stone Naked, he showed the scars of a thousand beatings He learned so long ago how to live in pain Whips with steel tipped leather ripped his skin A morning ritual for the rich Sand was ground into open wounds Flies ate their fill from his flesh He always stood mute He never showed the pain or any feelings Alas he tied a horrific death Beaten so badly that knew one knew who he was He was born a slave He fought as a warrior He became a hero He ended up as a martyr Dying at the hand of a tyrant He never once talked He never told anyone He died with the secrets of the arena Once again he was a hero Even in death He was a gladiator