The Coward
By Albert Ahearn •
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.