Coward Poem by Matt Ransom

If I could make you stop
for a moment
and not entertain yourself
not sing or be sung to
not play or be played with
not study or be studied
not cook, not eat
not taste, not listen
just close your eyes
and think
about yourself
and what goes on in your mind
when all else is quiet
What does it want?
What has it been trying to say?
What are you anyway?

You will be made aware of what's missing
softly at first
and then louder
till it becomes a physical force
that hammers your chest
with fear and doubt

Now open your eyes again
and let the world's clamor back in
to drown your soul's cry in business
at least now
you know what you're running from
coward