DEATH OF MANOLETE (Lombardo/Merchant) 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.