Stood waiting for the 990
pound animal
to fall
But suddenly
swiveled suddenly, suddenly
the bull’s enormous
enraged head swiveled
and the curving
horn caught him José Cubero known
as Yijo, “little
boy,” at the last
minute gored
as the sun was setting
as he delivered the estocada
his final sword
thrust
and the crowd rose as one
and twilight gasped
This bull has killed me
his best friend said
were his final words
piercing him through the heart
tip
of its left horn and
standing him
straight up in the air
Copyright © 2017 by Forrest Gander. Used with the permission of the author.