Three Parts


Part One--Cowardice
I am the king of cowards
The prince of the retreat
I wear my crown of self-doubt
In my throne of defeat

I die a thousand deaths
And lie a thousand lies
So look for fear no further
That the vacuum of my eyes

I want to smile in strength
Instead I sulk and quiver
I want to tell her how I feel
But I just can't deliver

Part Two--The Hero
I am the King of Courage
And I must not back down
I trample insecurities
And overcome my frown

I'll only die but once
In glory and in pride
And many men will wish to die
The way that I had died

Now I must be courageous
And I must do this deed
And I must win this maiden
I know I will succeed

Part Three--The Masquerade
If I were dumb, I'd end my life
If I were smart, pull through it
If I were me I'd sit and cry
So that is why I do it

This maiden whom I venerate
She feels another way
So now I wear a mask of me
Back when I was OK

Now suff'ring is my trophy
And torment is my wreath
And though I look alive and well
I'm dying underneath

Epilogue
Now I can use a potent drug
To help me through the pain
This drug has harmful side effects
And anger is its name

But this drug is destructive
And this drug won't last long
And though it may curtail the hurt
The anger gets too strong

So no mere drug can help me now
And I shall still remain
A frightened, valiant, bitter man
Who sits alone in pain.

                 - Jim Pinkstone


Copyright 1996 James Pinkstone.  All Rights Reserved.

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