Of Heroes

The feats of heroes always astound us:
Brave Alexander led his troops past worlds
Untamed, to become lord of all he saw;
The strength of mighty Achilles who sailed
The seas to raze the stately towers of Troy
Is recalled still; and love too finds its voice
In splendid heroes: we praise the passionate
Young Romeo who died seeking ill-starred love.

But what of ordinary things? Are they
Not worthy too of our unflinching praise?
My heart is with the Trojan guard who stood
In ringing plains of warring Troy to fight
The hordes of mercenaries seeking gold
And fame: He sought to defend his own home
And died unheralded and lies unsung.
The greatest love shows in ordinary ways.

Diptesh Ghosh