The tragic hero

He walked the earth many feet high,
Beauty and pride etched on his face,
Royalty, ironically, was gifted to him,
Powerful he was, with both bow and mace.

Vrisha, Vaikartana, and Vashusena was he,
Though popularly known as the mighty Karna,
Barring the transgression he wrought on Draupadi,
He was the embodiment of Truth and Dharma.

Even the strongest hearts quiver upon the sound of death,
But embrace he did what makes us human.
Kindness was he, illustrated by,
That gift of armor to Indra the Brahman.

Not once did he shirk an obligation to generosity,
Bringing down his own castle once,
Not only did he lay down his very own life to the call of duty,
To it he surrendered his own eight sons.

A life of misery ended by a shaft.
Sent forth by his worst enemy.
That unique way of death,
Gave him fame for all generations that could be.

The ideal tragic hero is Karna
Torn apart by duty and love
They say as complex a character as he shall never
Be created by our father sitting above.