Poem: "Gaia, Gladiatrix"
This poem was inspired by a prompt from thesilentpoet. Thanks to new prompter/donor thesilentpoet and new donor itew, it is today's second freebie. Here the cycle of ice ages and warming periods is presented in the extended metaphor of a gladitorial match.
Gaia, Gladiatrix
Gaia raises twin shields,
polar ice caps shining silver
against the sun's fierce golden spear.
No longer clad
in the white armor of glaciers,
she plants her feet on the black floor
and stands fast.
Sweat runs down her flanks
as she circles the arena,
now leaning forward,
now tilting back.
She twists her veil of clouds
and traps the tawny blade,
turning it back with a laugh.
It is an old duel,
an old dance.
Only the spectators are new.
The crowd roars for blood,
but Gaia ignores them,
her cool gaze locked
on her opponent's blazing eye.