Alexander ravaged Persepolis;
Smashed the place, doubtless to avenge Persian
Excess when they ruined the Acropolis.
War, hate, loot—the same in ev’ry version.
Then they fixed Persepolis—erected
Ancient columns—impressive from afar.
Their height, however, a bit defective—
“Too tall for that low mesa—plain bizarre.”
L. B., my archaeological friend,
Replied, “How can a column be too tall?”
Eyes slit, “Ah ha, you think Greeks knew it all;
That three, four, five is architecture’s end!”
That silenced me; I viewed the garish site
Again—“Dammit, L.B., the Greeks were right!”
(8/12/07)