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# The 300 (th Poem)
- URL: https://www.hawkword.com/poetry/the-300-th-poem/
- Published: 2021-07-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2021-07-27T12:00:00.000Z
- Description: Valiant defenders of the West Stopping Xerxes at Thermopylae But it’s not where your brave bodies lie Tales of your most consequential quest
- Author: A. Gee
- Tags: Poetry, Allpoetry Import, #Import 2026-04-25 19:56

Valiant defenders of the West  
Stopping Xerxes at Thermopylae  
But it’s not where your brave bodies lie  
Tales of your most consequential quest

With us to this day, the Spartans said  
On your shield, or with it, so you must  
Strike to kill and win, with every thrust  
Victory is yours, or you are dead

Were your bodies burned, or carried home  
Ashes scattered in Elysian fields  
Where your spirits proudly still roam  
Sparta will forever bear your shields

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**Author notes:** for my 300th poem, an attempt to capture the famous story of The 300