Short Coliseum Poems

Gladiators fought-
In circular glory. Now-
All is deathly still....

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I would much rather have the karma of being eaten by hungry lions
Than be a spectator cheering for human death in a Roman coliseum...

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Roman Gnome

There once was an Emperor of Rome
Who invented the first garden Gnome
He thought it looked cute
In its Christian suit

Mascot to the Coliseum of Rome...

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Sans actor,
there is no theater,
sans gladiator
there is no Coliseum,
 sans audience
there is no spectacle
 without love, 
there is none of that,
and no life...!...

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full coliseum
lions roar in hot cages
my heart begins to beat fast

cages open wide
we run, but cannot escape
our bodies rot in the heat

 

*Written for Amy’s "Choka about a Chokehold" Contest...

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disjointed efforts pulling sinews apart
inside the coliseum of sexual contest
an ensanguined sheet is waved
relentlessly taunting the stubborn beast

their saline soaked hides
give meaning to the matador's intent
without spilling the bull's blood
he sighs with lament...

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Swords clang and sparks fly
In this merciless battle
      Death the only champion
As metal pierces skin
     Red liquid oozes from wound
Blood will soak the earth once more
      Bloodthirsty crowd cheers
Cries of agony echo
     Death will meet him in the dust


For- Amy's Choka for a Chokehold Contest...

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She meets me
in a Coliseum
wearing an iron bra
and the chastity belt.

Blindfolded and veiled,
She carries a bullwhip
in one hand and
a spiked mace in the other;

"Do you feel lucky tonight?"
She asks me lovingly,
"Well, do you, dear?"



~Let's get technical (Show me your best)
  contest by Andrea Dietrich...

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The first game was played in California;
LA Coliseum the arena.
Here, you may have a doubt.
The game was not sold out.
This is just some more useless trivia.

The Packers were led by Vince Lombardi.
Hank Stram brought his Chiefs from Kansas City.
In this football showdown
from this West Coast town,
the team from Green Bay won the first trophy....

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I chose to be a Christian.
Denial was no option.
I must bear witness.
Roman soldiers inquired,
“Do you follow Jesus Christ?”
My fate knew no fear.
Yes, He is the Son of God.
Forcefully, I was taken.
Oh, coliseum,
Bring forth thy gladiators.
I will not fight to the death.
Eternity, come!

ã June 2, 2012
Dane Ann Smith-Johnsen

Written for Poetry Soup Member Contest: Choka for a Choke Hold
Sponsored by Amy Green...

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His calloused finger tips caressed the stings with fire one last time
As he played the cords of his emotions with passion as he climbed
A lifetime of memories that night were burned upon the strings
Flames from his soul flew through the coliseum on golden wings
The music of his life touched every heart with the beauty of its sound
And bowing to a roaring ovation...he brought the final curtain down




Written:  April 13th, 2006...

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Quarterback Nick Foles has a claim to fame.
He recently threw seven touchdown passes in a game.
Forty-nine points scored proved to be a plethora.
Nick’s Eagles were the team from Philadelphia.
The Eagles offense displayed some powerful guns.
The Raiders from Oakland were the unfortunate ones.
The game was played at the Oakland Coliseum.
For Raiders fans, there was an unfavorable outcome.
The results of the game left many of them glum.
...

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Above bleak pastures,
A cobalt coliseum:
Warriors are unleashed.
·
Aggressive brave clouds,
Battle for the dominance:
Vanquishment is vague.
·
Conquest of power,
Clash of divine elements:
Battle in the sky.
·
Sun and clouds collide,
On a battlefield landscape:
The land prays for reign.
·
The golden swords pierce,
As injured clouds hemorrhage:
Pelting the pastures.
·
With sharp swords of light.
The golden gladiator:
Obtains victory....

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Today I left the tunnel
A giant sigh of relief
Fresh air the weight is lifted
No more darkness surrounding me
I know its weird but I kind of miss it
There was something about the pain
No matter what changed in life
The pain stayed the same
The weight made my shoulders strong
Taught me to walk straight
The fear made me vigilant
And thankful for every day
So now all that is over 
and though I feel relief
I kind of miss my personal tunnel
The coliseum that created ME....

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