– a gladiators’ Rome-
Thumbs Up
– a gladiators’ Rome –
Held be thumbs up
Meant slaves bade,
A grant of life just
Tho short accolade,
Spares ye as lion sup
Feast so on gladiator,
Or as gladiatrix lust
Would a thumbs down,
Send we to an early grave
Assures one’s final round,
Will realize time’s fated age
Chose whisper of deaths await,
Faint yet by an abjured persuade
As the obscured days of old did rate,
Reminiscent so of a gladiators’ Rome!
This gesture has its roots,
in the days of Caesar,
be then gladiators’ Roma...
Audio - Recital, by Jean-Jacques Fournier Music - Rise of the Phoenix, proudmusiclirrary.com Imagery – Assorted Private & Public written in Sweetsburg © Jean-Jacques Fournier August 28, 2021
Poetry on a Canapé 
You captured the angst of the gladiator as he waited for the “thumbs up” signal. And we think that we are the only ones who live in uncertain times! YIKES!
And you in turn, would capture, in an ever so mindful response, that of man’s continued meagre respect for the gift of life, so precious and fragile, as it was in the days of Caesar. Only now be showing progress in continued destruction as opposed to peaceful habitation.
There are too frequent reminders today if the gladiators past. Thumbs down on too many poor souls. Another interesting poem to ponder.
Ah yes indeed, Paulette, my point exactly. One would think that some two thousand years in the making, mankind ought have learned to control his greed for more, for the sake of more, during those few measly we may have been granted this gift of life, on this planet.