In this
fascist daylight
a sensible man 
holds back

Keeps his edge
hidden in the presence
of killers
Waits till dark
to slit them
and carve them down
before slipping back
to his mild life
and family

Movies
and the sheep
who love them
call him a coward
to wait for nightfall
and not confront the killers
right out where they
can see him

He will end
more of them his way
and stay alive
longer than he would
if he fought the way the movies
insist he should 

If the fight comes to him
in daylight
that’s one thing but

his way seems more
sensible and the results
speak for themselves

The toxin of dumb bravery
is a long memory
Casts a longer shadow

He who moves past those
while disregarding the jeers
of those enamored
of its cinematic allure

ends up
anonymous
blood soaked
successful 

thinking of it
as a matter of 
simple
practicality
in real life and
not fantasy