Entreaty of the Coward

Hate me not for my cowardice.
Hate me not for me gutlessness.
Hate me not for my shoddy aim,
Nor my quick feet.

Hate me not for my surrender.
Hate me not for my skyward hands.
Hate me not for my lost friends,
Nor my guiltless enemy.

Hate me not for my treason.
Hate me not for failing my nation.
Hate me not for refusing to kill,
Nor dropping my gun.

Hate me for my white flag.
Hate me for retaining my love.
Hate me for siding with my conscience,
And keeping my humanity intact.

So-called courageous and heroic souls,
Can you say the same?