Gladiator

In sand-strewn circle where the brave contend, Their cries are swallowed by a roaring tide, With every clash, a life begins to end, For glory’s sake, in blood and sweat they bide. The emperor, a shadow on the throne, Beneath his gaze, the fallen heroes lie, Their fates entwined, the seeds of fate are sown, As laughter rings, a silent plea to die. Yet in the dust, the echoes still remain, Of valor's price, a soul for each embrace, In every drop, a story steeped in pain, The crowd's delight, a mask for grief's dark face. O fickle fate, where honor meets despair, In every fight, the heart's true weight laid bare.