Thermopylae Poem by Robert F Estrada

Brave Prometheus
gods create men
worshipped heroes
bronzed by pen

Marble philosophy
upon volcanic soil
fragile governments
erupt in turmoil

the Delphi oracle
forecasts the storm
global Persian menace
Sparta will mourn

an ocean of men
the army that comes
one million strong
a thunder of drums

as Persia’s king
Xerxes rules all
decadent barbarity
and aristocratic gall

his army a colony
drones from birth
to enslave the world
and pillage all earth

North of Crete
jagged rainbows sleep
Greece is forewarned
united they sweep

West of Crete
strong winds ahead
Greek Triremes
sails dyed red

Greece fully awake
Spartans march east
brave hoplites to delay
the eastern beast

outnumbered and alone
fear held at bay
wits razor sharp
brilliant tactics to display

trials to discover
fury, flank, and fire
the warriors resolve
legends will inspire

three days gained
the Spartans still strong
Persian morale wanes
Xerxes shame is long

avarice takes form
a local betrayer
his weight paid in gold
greed becomes slayer

Spartans face doom
two fronts too defend
Leonidas is slain
brave warriors to the end

300 are martyred
Persia moves north
the juggernaut is bled
destroyed farther north