There were women holding
rosaries On the day Manolette died Teenage girls in soft white
dresses
Standing silent peace respecting Groups of boys held in their
hands
The fragments of a shattered idol The old men with their
traditions
challenged Refrained from tears Neck neck hook Poles of wood The
Picadores stood eyes ablaze To view brutal contest In the vale
of
years Courage unfailing Agility exhausted Youth entered
challenge
Reached for title shelved Patrons in attendance To disarm a
common
myth Homage played to the victor of immortality Cloaked in bold
tones
In the stockyard the beasts Did climb their barriers Bid by a
frenzied
ring Bred for one purpose only To die in man's sport Dash
against his
spindle An instant fell to wounding On the day Swords
penetrating On
the day Torches igniting On the day Flower wreaths encircling
The day
On the day.
| 
| 
