In Bulgakov's novel Jesus says
the greatest sin of all
is cowardice
the novelist
living through Stalin’s terror
knew what his Yeshua
was speaking of
Stalin's Moscow
Rome's Jerusalem
had a thing or two in common
though it might escape
a superficial reading
Bulgakov's Pontius Pilate
for his lack of courage
pays a bitter price
though he is only
acting out his role

A fearful man
for all I would be otherwise
I understand that courage
means acting justly
in the face of fear
not fearlessness
that is a state of mind
known only to the few
I'd give a lot
to find a bit more courage
in myself