Gladiator

• Liliana Franco, Grade 12
• Poetry
• 2018

He waits behind the arena's gate
That separates him from his imminent fate
The beast is let out of his cage first
Which makes the crowd cheer with a sickening thirst
Ten seconds until it's his turn to enter
Nine seconds hearing the beast screech in the centre
Eight seconds left with his heart beating faster
As he thinks of how it could all end in disaster
Seven seconds thinking he should let the beast take his life
Six seconds believing he'd at last be with his wife
Five seconds thinking of all that he'd lost
Four seconds weighing up the fights' cost
Three seconds left to remove all doubt
Two seconds now for him to breathe out
His mind goes blank for one second more
And the crowd goes wild as they open the door