Barsine, Roxane, Hephaestion, Bagoas and So On and So On
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
Prince Alexander’s face looks melted, hard
But melted slightly. Hardness lives in stone.
The melting comes from life. His face looks jarred,
As if it just shrugged off an injured moan
In battle or in love. He knew the shock
Of both, this heir and king. Deflated thrill
He knew. He was a little fighting cock
Who felt deflation after stab and spill.
The stab and spill of blood and semen on
The battlefield and in soft beds won him
Hot triumphs. Spear and penis helped him spawn
An empire and devotion. He grew grim
When victory was complete. The melt came then.
He ravaged lands and women—and splayed men.