Beautiful, perfect, inconceivable,
the entrance laid with new stone.
The sun’s beams release the smell of sweat.
Cramped, humid, and filled with excitement,
so the crowd roars on…

Smooth marble seats wait to be adopted.
The crowd settles as the opponents are introduced.
Released from the ends are two lions.
Anger, hunger, and despite fill their eyes,
so the crowd roars on…

At the same time, the lions strike,
using every piece of energy left in their bodies.
Knowing they must stay alive,
the lions raid at necks, legs, and tails,
so the crowd roars on…

The last lion is victor.
The battle comes to a bleak end.
The lavish lion lays in the dirt,
helpless, bleeding, in pain.
But the crowd roars on…

Death strikes the helpless lion,
and the victor stands, consuming its prey.
New stone covered with traces of blood.
Mournful, pessimistic, and grim.
But the crowd still roars on…