Glorification of Conquerors

Aribam Surjeet Sharma
Striding across the pages of history
With great aplomb and glitz
Are many many great conquerers.
What power, confidence and might!
We are struck with wonder and awe.

In the blazing splendor and grandeur
Shining out of their might and power,
We become blind to their dark deeds--
Bloody rivers rife with dead bodies,
Fires devouring fine ingenious works.

We adore, glorify and deify them,
So much so that we blurt out,
'What a fine specimen of real man!'
Albeit they achieved what they did,
Wading through blood and fire.

It's a pity, to us prowess in violence
Is more dazzling and impressive
Than prowess in compassion,
Though wounds of wars are healed
Through peace and compassion.

As long as we are mesmerized
By the exploits of conquerers,
Peace would rarely visit our world
And, if ever, it would be fleeting--
As fleeting as shooting stars.