To the Glitter, and to the Gold, an alexander fanfic

Title: To the Glitter, and to the Gold

Author: Baliansword

Theme: Alexander

Summary: Cassander recalls the falling of Alexander's once great empire. He blames it on the men, and on their greed.

A/N: For Mr. Davis, for always letting me hang out in his room. Also for; Ms. Schembri, Ms. Stasinski, Mrs. Cirzan, Mrs. McCoy, and all of my other amazing English teachers. You've always supported, and always read. I hope this is just as great.

To the Glitter, and to the Gold

Reflections glisten above the cerulean water,

Water the color of noble gems,

And here I find myself sitting

Thinking

Here is where there is no past, nor future-

Here are merely the reflections,

Those of which I am both pleased and ashamed of,

But those which can never again be changed.

What glittered we found here,

In the pride of our youth,

And it was here that we found what all had tried to seek.

Such things were never meant for the Achaeans

We all knew this well enough

But still we held close to our hearts one terrible want-

A desire that even now we cannot regret,

Even after all that has transpired.

Persepolis granted us these amazing things,

Objects of beauty, wonder, and harem women trained.

The gods, however, still knew us unworthy

Yet there wrath they did not have to unleash,

There was no need to seek the Furies.

Friends we once were, the twelve of us all

We built this noble empire

Now I fear we shall watch it fall

For what was once important no longer is

Instead, we cling to glittering mirrors,

And brick-heavy bars of gold

The mission has been lost,

These barbarians no longer are free,

Nor, I fear, ever were we.

Freedom was our goal, and we did not achieve

Sadly, gold before freedom, is now what we receive.

Alexander, your Companions have failed you

Just as your blue-eyed gem feared and believed

So now instead of drinking to glory,

I think I shall make a toast,

To the glitter

And to the gold.