It is in defeat that I should be honor bound

When I'm alone where is that honor found?

Do I know loss truly til my heart arrests?

Should I sheathe this blade within my chest?

Is it honorable if not from an outward cause?

I lie beneath the weight of my many flaws

Should I resign myself to go fully scarred

On my own terms is my admittance barred?

What you perceive as courage is really fear

I strive to act noble as the end draws near

The enemy comes expecting a corpse to loot

Their faces seem so familiar, et tu brut?

********************

Authors note:

The title of this poem is based on a line from Macbeth prior to his duel with Macduff in which he asks why he should fall on his sword like the Roman fool referring to Marcus Brutus who killed himself upon losing a battle to Mark Antony. The final words of the poem refer to the play Julius Caesar which are uttered by Caesar upon seeing that his friend Marcus Brutus (the same referenced above) is one of the assassins and has been betrayed. This translates to "even you Brutus"