I am weary of conflict,
arguments battling across
bloodied ground.
The dead
always come back
as ghosts to haunt
the dark arena of sleep.
Life becomes defined
by armaments.
I shall find a place
in the lull of an evening
where the wind quietens
into prayers whispered
along leafy avenues
and storms no longer claw
at the stone walls and pillars
of the temple
but become gentle rain
soothing the city
with its long fingers.
There, on the steps,
I shall leave a fragile
offering for you.
If you come, come quickly
for the sky carries
a reddening glow
and the hearts
of many are beginning
to harden.
lions den Christians
hiding your pretty fish tattoo
colosseum meat
beats’ teeth and claws are huge
faith in another world allows you some peace
as they begin
Gladiators fought there,
Bleeding through the cheers,
While tourists of today (like me!)
Imagine all those years.
The structure still stands proudly,
Well, parts of it, at least,
As cameras click where once were bouts
Of human versus beast.
We step on stones first placed there
In the ancient days of Rome,
Where Jewish slaves took eight long years
To build it, far from home.
We marvel at this masterpiece,
At all that's still intact,
Envisioning the action
From the hints we can extract.
The Colosseum is a Roman work
Capable of seating thousands or more
Used for gladiatorial contests, mock battles
Such action seen in its famous battles
Or re-enactment of a classic work
They have all people shouting loud for more
Fierce lions attacking Christians and more
Imagine such things in life and death battles
Fighting or staying together won't work
All shouting for greater work,more, battles
Stone rests upon stone;
They glow in the light
As if to atone
For ill-used power and might.
Column on column,
Tier upon tier;
They weep with the knowledge
Of what happened here.
The cries are now quiet
But they echo still;
They’re heard in the silent
Sighs from these hills.
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