What is greatness?

Who deserves, merits, is entitled to being called great? 

Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon undeniably fearless, skilled, 

Who millions, their hapless adversaries, opponents killed. 

Ghengis Khan, who rivers, innocent victims’ blood spilled, 

Spanish treasury, plundered South American silver filled? 

Helpless, Indians, aborigines, red Indians, bullets riddled, 

Amassed fortunes, Africans were as merchandise peddled? 

Those who dispossessed Red Indians to reservations sent?

Those, who freed Babylonian Jews, home, Jerusalem sent?

Those who destroy, demolish holy places, subdued people?

Those who raise, shrines temples to Gods, subject peoples?

Pomp, grandeur, spectacle, pageantry, ceremony dazzled, 

Queen's crown gems are from fatherless prince embezzled. 

Famous conquerors, champions, warriors, victors of land, 

Cursed, ravagers, plunderers, slaughterers, another land. 

Ferocity, savagery, cruelty, brutality, atrocity, depravity, 

Justified in names of a doctrine, nation or regal authority. 

Has norm, all human history been atrocity, heartlessness, 

Was there ever time of magnanimity, tolerance, kindness? 

A ruler’ verdict, appraisal, estimation lies in meek hands, 

Of subjects mastered, conquered, governed in alien lands. 

Cyrus, esteemed, acclaimed, applauded by many a nation, 

Only king, gave slaves, captives, emancipation, liberation. 

Darius, built dam on the Indus to prevent annual famines,

Callous ruthless imperialists caused Indian, Irish famines.

Cyrus, Darius, Ardeshir belong to all mankind, humanity, 

Transcending boundaries of nations, religions, community. 

Not the Persian empire’s formidable immensity, vastness, 

Thought, ideologies, beliefs, convictions lay it's greatness.  

Philosophers, poets, architects, artists, sculptors're great,

Looters, destroyers, hoarders, their creations aren't great.

Those who liberate, free, shield, sustain, nourish're great,

Those who wreck, devastate, shackle, enslave aren't great.