A frightful face floats upon   
The undulating waters edge 
Like a ship-wrecked casualty.  
Its distorted image mirrors   
Its vacant eyes and ashen face   
Though still alive but dead inside:   
A failed life, a flubbed suicide   
A washed-up failure washed ashore   
Rejected by the waxing tide.   
The sea accepts the very brave  
From long fought wars and weathering   
But spews its cowards back to shore   
Where uncourageous men are made   
That live their lives in masquerade.