chained to the brave

treachery goes unpunished

the emperor, the senate, the young heir

lowest feudal class

discard them like refuse

keep them blind, keep them fed

diet of blood and bone

they raise the walls of their own ruin

a grand diversion

give them death and they will love you for it

rose petals rain 

glorious pools of blood

a flood of red draped over the emperor

the audience chants

bloodthirsty, their voices a storm

master gives his commands

lion roars, fangs bared 

weapons sharpened

howling hunter or prey  

dagger, longbow

the morning star

ripping of limbs 

they scream for more

last man barely stands

the hero knocking on heaven’s door

the master schemes

cunning in his design

a hero is a dangerous thing

life

nothing but a frightful, broken dream

(inspired by Gladiator by Ridley Scott)