The Critic in the Shadows

You say you know better

Show me

Teach me what it is that I am ignorant of

You stand there

Speaking from the shadows

Telling of how I am flawed

When I am stripped to the bone

For all to see

My flesh exposed

My soul bare

No secrets to hide

No respite from shame

And I spoke with no ill intent

And I spoke truth

And I said what was on my heart

But you're sitting in the dark

From your vantage point

Saying that I am flawed

Come out into the light

Come out from your shadows

To where we can see you

Strip yourself naked next to me

Unveil yourself as I have

Make yourself known and explain things

Tell the world of your secret knowledge

And from which book you read

Tell us your secrets

Show us your teacher

Surely he knows as well

And his teacher before him

Show us your grand revelation

Your oracle, Your augur

Your herald, Your envoy

And tell us why you are so privileged

Tell us why it is you know

And nobody else

You say these things from shadows

But how can we believe you

You offer us no recompense

So come and sit at my table

Eat from my plate

Drink from my cup

And hope that when they see you

As you are

Naked

Perhaps

You will withstand the fire

Better than I have

Perhaps then

You will see

I'm not called Phoenix for sport