ALEXANDER THE GREAT

ALEXANDER THE GREAT


He, “Alexander the Great”!
Pray, what was his greatness?
He attacked, killed and plundered,
Brought destruction, darkness.

Not satisfied with his land,
Nor with his vast treasures,
He sought to conquer the world
To enhance his pleasures.

When he came to India
Coveting its fine gold,
An entirely new chapter
In his life did unfold.

The Indian exposure
Taught him the message true:
That material pleasures
One ought not to pursue.

This probably made him tell
His bedside attendants:
‘I now think that vain have been
All my accomplishments’.

Dying at thirty three, this
Perception came to him,
That the bid to conquer the
World was a useless whim.

It is said that as he died,
He made three last wishes.
First, his physicians alone
Shall bear the coffin his.

Second, the path to the grave
Be stewed with gold, jewels
That he had amassed during
His battles and duels.

Third, empty handed he came,
Empty handed must go.
Hands placed outside the coffin,
Must this fact clearly show”.


• Written in abcb, 7-6-7-6 format


M C Gupta
13 July 2008