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Alexandria

The Great Library stood
On the shores of the sea
Where all could come
And enjoy the tomes

The scrolls of papyrus
Heavy clay tablets
Sheaves of vellum
All with countless scholar's marks

This one, a discourse on love
Another, the plan of a battle
That one, maritime shipping records
All dedicated to the Muses

For time untold these records
Informed, enlightened
Provided a repository for knowledge
And the author's hopes, dreams, and desires

Until the fire of Caesar
The Great Imperial Eagle
Burned, burned, burned
Until cold ash was all that remained

The Library, packed tight with understanding
Passions, learning, culture unknown
Now unknowable, lost
Because of the pride of one

Lost forever.
Never to be shared or known
Ever again.

Comments

lillysmum said…
And what a tragedy. It makes me ill to think about it.
October 15, 2014 at 4:43 PM
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