I never claimed to be a pacifist

believe there’s a time for a fist
and a time for an open hand

although it’s a belief
I’ve practiced mostly in theory

since I got big enough
and frowny enough
for people to believe I might
go off
for no discernible reason

truth is
there was a time
that was more true
than it is now

hints of that history
have contributed
to many years of relative calm

so I don’t think
that’s a bad thing
when I consider
how it’s served me

how far away people stand
from me

how little I pretend to care