He’s a generally caring guy,
Has even been known to do
Kind things for people whom
He doesn’t even know.
He’s got a steady moral compass,
Treats people the way
He would like to be treated,
And smiles at others on the street.
The veneer of civility starts
Cracking whenever something happens
That arouses latent passions,
Hidden presumptions.
Rapid metamorphosis
From mild and affable
To unfeeling, unforgiving,
His true self awakened.