Fear gripped his heart
His head dropped, in a bow
mouthing anxious prayers
He wiped the sweat from his brow

Adrenaline clothed his spirit
Palms bloodied with astillas
As trembling hands grasped his rosary
& he pled with Maria

The crowd thundered with cheers
The stadium started to quake
As he stood and sheathed his sword
The ground began to shake

He waved his right hand to the masses
The applause rumbled in floods
Drunk on a prehistoric instinct
& a twisted thirst for blood

The beast snorted in
Fierce, wild & hostile
He lowered his horns for battle
Rage plumed from his nostrils

The matador, stood unmoved
Not showing the creature his fear
Yet as the crowd trickled silent
He allowed himself a single tear

The victory was already his
The animal would never glimpse tomorrow
Yet he swirled his cape before the congregation
& to his opponent shouted “TORO!”