The Gates of The Field

Finally another song/poem. This is inspired by Ridley Scott's epic movie "Gladiator". Hope you like this one!

The Gates of The Fields (Inspired by the movie “Gladiator”)

 

Towards a battle far beyond

Under dark skies and coming nights

The songs of war are sung

Victory is ours now

Won by our courage and our blades

 

A true ruler’s passed us on

And now the usurper’s might

Calls far beyond the dawn

Treachery has seized us now

Honour and justice desecrated in flames

 

How I wished I could have saved you

From everything that they’ve done

Through icy frost and the brave and true

And under the dying, setting sun

I’ll fight forever to avenge the memories

And you’ll stay forever in my heart

Over the barren yellow sands and dark distant seas

As I close my eyes, you know we’ll never be apart

 

Far beyond the gates

Of life and death forevermore

Stand strong here with me and fight

For our destinies await us all

And beyond my fate

With every step and so much more

We will stand before the coming light

A melody in our hearts so strong

True power lies in our hearts and minds alone

And our strength with the ones we love

 

Through the gates of fear and awe

We march with strength within

We will not waver at all

And we won’t bow for their pleasure

Through sorrow and the pain

 

Iron chains and shackles all

Will never hold my spirit in

Though my body may break and fall

True power’s in the ones we treasure

And we’re not pawns in the twisted game

 

Far beyond the gates

Of life and death forevermore

Stand strong here with me and fight

For our destinies await us all

And beyond my fate

With every step and so much more

We will stand before the coming light

A melody in our hearts so strong

True power lies in our hearts and minds alone

And our strength with the ones we love

 

And I shall never lose myself

No dishonour in all I’ve done

Stand tall and hold true to myself

For we are warriors of this world

Though our terrible blades may one day cross again

Across blackened sky and golden bloodstained sands

 

Destiny has called us all

Watch as the king finally falls

I shall never fear the end as it comes

So much blood on these hands of mine

Let it all become undone this time

My strength burning strong like the might of the sun

 

Far beyond the gates

Of life and death forevermore

Stand strong here with me and fight

For our destinies await us all

And beyond my fate

With every step and so much more

We will stand before the coming light

A melody in our hearts so strong

True power lies in our hearts and minds alone

And our strength with the ones we love

 

CODA

And now the gates of the field open wide

In the arms of mercy I now lie

Now I have nothing more left to hide

And in all honour I shall die

 

No more enemies left to fight

And no more hatred and disdain

So now I behold the coming light

Wait for me now, we will be together again

Author's Note

Image taken from Wikipedia
Perhaps one of the best quotes of any movie:
"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next." xD
This was written from Maximus's perspective.
First stanza: Maximus, a general in the Roman army, manages to lead the Romans to decisive victory over the Germanic barbarians, winning the esteem of the Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius.
Second stanza: The emperor wishes to give temporary power to Maximus upon his return. In anger, Aurelius's son, Commodus, kills his own father and seizes the throne unjustly.
Third stanza: Commodus orders Maximus and his family to be executed. Only Maximus manages to escape. He escapes being killed because the frost caused his executioner's blade to be stuck, hence the "frost" part. He is soon found unconscious by some slave traders, but the thought of his family gives him the will to live...
Chorus: This was basically the description of him as a gladiator fighting in the arena. The gates where the dead were carried out and where the surviving gladiators exited the arena were called the Gates of Death and Life respectively. As I mentioned, the memories of his family were the reasons he was still strong...
Fifth stanza: This was inspired by Maximus shouting "Are you not entertained?!" to the spectators...
Sixth stanza: This was just before Maximus was fighting his toughest opponent yet. As he was being chained up, it was said that "Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome." The "pawns in the twisted game" refers to Commodus placing a small figurine of Maximus in a model of the Colosseum, thinking he can still control him...
Eighth stanza: Maximus fights Tigris of Gaul, Rome's only undefeated gladiator. Maximus wins but refuses to kill Tigris, choosing to do the honourable action...
Ninth stanza: Eventually Commodus decides to fight Maximus himself. The "king finally falls" is used as Commodus topples the figurine of Maximus in the Colosseum. I was trying to picture Maximus's feelings just before the final battle...
Coda: Even though Maximus wins, he still dies as Commodus had stabbed him in secret before the match. There were scenes of a door opening to reveal wide open fields as Maximus slowly watched his life ebb away. Lucilla, Maximus's former lover, holds Maximus as he dies. I wrote the last 2 verses in reference to Maximus's wishes that even though he is dying, he will be reunited with his family in the afterlife.
Hope you guys enjoyed this one!

Reviews

[Jim Parson]

This is utterly spectacular! I love every word of it. Not that it has any bearing here, but the movie is one of my favorites as well. You've definitely done it justice.

[Ice QueenJen]

outstanding poem based on a movie....... such a horrible time when people were put into a ring for sport, and the barbaric way that the fighting went on. Its actually a wonder anyone survived that time either.
Also nice of you to break down the different parts of this awesome poem too!

[Randolf Ramos]

The only enemy that we have is ourselves. but the moment we tame ourselves in to a best way we are, we will shine into the light of tomorrow.

i could feel in your coda that you got all what it takes to conquer the world.

[KAREN]

Great images and flow! Nice job as aways!!

[sarah]

WOw this is amazing! you are so talented

[Shardbearer99]

Dude, that was an awesome poem! I loved it. There were such powerful scenes in this, you could almost picture it being in Gladiator or something. My favourite line is: "Treachery has seized us now
Honour and justice desecrated in flames"
There's just something so thrilling about reading those lines, it should be written down in an ancient book written by a king. Truly loved it and it was very cleverly woven together. You're a great writer!

[HopelesslyDevoted]

this is such a powerful poem, such amazing images... and the picture you put with it fit it perfectly.
my favorite line of this:
Far beyond the gates

Of life and death forevermore

Stand strong here with me and fight

For our destinies await us all

And beyond my fate

not sure why but this gave me chills. in a good way, love it!

[?]

Wow, I too have never seen Gladiator, not my type of movie. But I loved this piece. Written so well and the thought and imagery was wonderful
Thanks for sharing with me

[Ashley Myers]

honestly, ive never seen the movie gladiator. but i liked this.

[Priyankaabhilaashi]

Nice..!!!