Coward Poem by Elizabeth Cottrell

coward
the facade, a facsmile
cannot hide what you lack
dignity
the gift a man gives himself
you are no man
for you gave yours away willingly
for a
mirage
pipe dream
fantasy
delusion
shadow
behold your reality
vanishes, evaporates
into the ether
will you see it
will I care

sycophants
eschewed by wise men
embraced by fools
mingle with the ignorant
who dance along

congitive dissonance
at your existence
pity and antipathy
sadness and revulsion
confusion and clarity
no longer eclipse
refuge
sanctuary
acceptance
peace
calm
contentment
fulfillment
joy
and these are no longer
held captive
by a
mirage
pipe dream
fantasy
delusion
shadow
i reject your circumscribed, stilted parody
for truth, reality, the world
outside, inside