Luchador

Exacting
Precision and balance
On top of the rope
He stood perfectly still.

A beautiful corpse.

‘Cadaver Guapo’.

Listening to the roar
Of the crowd
Fade out
To a distant white noise.

Inside his mind
A tranquil quiet
Formed
As he raised his arms
Like the wings of a swan
Taking flight.

He took in a slow deep breath
Bending at the knees
The rubber of his muscles
Bulging from the compression.

He had his own recipe
For style and success.

Equal parts
Stealth
Character
Strength
Integrity
Appeal
And showmanship.

It wasn’t enough
To simply defeat
The opponent.

He must do it with
‘Brio’.

He leapt with great strength
Off of the bending wire
Catapulting high in the air.

‘Estar alto en el aire’.

Flashing lights
Reflected off his
‘Mascara’.

Sparks flew
Fireworks exploded
The screams of the crowd
Came back.

Like a raptor
Full of focus and conviction
He locked on the eyes
Of the other luchador.

He could smell
The victory
Even then
Mid-air
Amongst the sweet
Caramel scent
Of warm
Corn tamales.

He flew in
For the title.