David Leslie Urion
Death before sunset
Matador swagger signals costumed spectacle
as el toro espléndido charges into the ring
A trickle of radicals rally for change,
"¡ Tortura no es Cultura! ", but who’s listening now?
Dissent drowned by aficionados’ entrenched cackle
Cape’s thrust, stands aside, pirouettes to face again.
Beast lopes round giddily, gripped by scarlet rag’s flutter,
and deftly lunged lances rip right through its hide.
No passion for one-sided fight, gladiator sees a new plight
as darts of doom slice cleanly through the sinew deep within.
Warm blood seeps, stains sweat-matted hair on its flanks,
rags thrust, stands aside, bull’s anguished arteries burst.
Exhausted bull flops to the bloodied sand
matador fixes stare on those doleful pleading eyes
half-hearted look to President as if requesting his assent.
But no reprieve for four-legged combatant.
Not yet.
Not ever.
The bloodlust of the baying, paying, crowd unsatisfied.
Victor thrusts. Blade cuts. Chin juts. Loser dies.
The final loss of dignity sees the soggy, saggy, tractor-shackled trophy
dragged round the raked sand arena soaking up the oozing crimson
before sharp-bladed steel masterfully lops off ears and tail
and sticky fur-soft souvenirs are tossed to ecstatic gantried masses.
Otro toro espléndido charges into the ring -
the next distressed victim to die before sunset.
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