How does it feel to be a slave boy?
Growing up seeing no kindness or joy.

Giovi knows how it feels.
All day long fixing broken wagon wheels.

One day when he was twenty two,
His master said, “Hey you!”

“I don’t need you anymore,
You’re good for death and nothing more.”

“You are a gladiator now.”
“As you wish.” answered Giovi with a bow.

Frightened and so nervous,
Giovi imagined dying on the sandy surface.

It is Sunday afternoon;
The people are dancing to a tune.


But for Giovi it was a day of possibilities.
He might end up with serious disabilities.

Or he might just die
With a outloud cry.

“I don’t deserve to die! Please have mercy on me!”
The crowd turns thumbs down. The emperor agrees.