‘The Death of Conquerors’

Vanessa Aiello is a writer and photographer from Springfield, MA. She has previously been published in Mass Poetry's Future in Verse, The Wingless Dreamer, ArtWife, The Hemetera Editor, and CoolBeansLit for her writing and photography. She was recently named an Intercollegiate Poet at the Mass Poetry Festival, where she represented Regis College and recently graduated with a B.A in English and Secondary Education.

The Death of Conquerors

Like an earthquake or a great storm
Enough to shake kingdoms and empires
Such is the death of conquerors
Mortals raised as royalty
Suckled by Victory,
Gilded in invincibility
But not all die with dignity
A conqueror is a legend born
A mighty soul clothed in gold
With swords and men at his command
To claim all that his eyes can see
Some say that conquerors are chosen by destiny
Theirs is a tale forged true
Made in the crucible of war
Their innate defiance against all odds
Etches their names in the hearts of men
How high they rise, on the winds of success
Hands reaching for the sun,
Unchallenged and untamed,
Fearless and exuberant
Until a dark hand claims their crown
Hurling even the greatest into the grave
Gazing down from His pale horse,
The plundered crown perched on His skull,
Sits a lord who will not be denied His due
A toll no earthly king can pay
Nothing can stop His demand
No soul can escape His scythe
Blood, not gold, drips from His ancient blade
Proving that legends are but men
That great names can be forgotten
That mighty kingdoms can be undone
Like a silent whisper or a loud roar
Enough to shake kingdoms and empires
Such is the death of conquerors

Onyeka Ndukwe, a Canadian artist currently residing in Ottawa, Ontario, is a lyrical poet* whose work has graced the pages of esteemed publications. His 1st poem titled "Trust Half Spent" was featured in the Praised by December anthology (2021) published by Wingless Dreamer. Beyond his poetic endeavors, Onyeka is an avid history reader and occasionally indulges in anime, forging a creative path that blends artistry and intellectual curiosity.