forgetting to be nice
leaves bad aftertaste
like curry without spice
a character debased

'i did nothing', she shrugged
as she feigned innocence,
happy she'd bugged
'n broken his defence

'let's be real', he said
as he roared like a tiger
as her heart inside bled
with no-one beside her

when all's said and done
it's niceness that makes you
shows you've begun
to wrestle devil's due

better than home-runs
or your favourite brew
than the shine of ten suns
through the sparkle of dew

it's more than exterior
or false veneer
it's your soul's interior
G-d's atmosphere

so next time some toad
does something obnoxious
take the high road
definition of virtuous

you'll feel happier
elated jubilation
refraining from snappier
jeering conversation

take the zap from their insult
the sting from their jibe
as you be the adult
and revenge circumscribe

you'll feel better for it
attuned to your soul
rather than the half-wit
who's lost sight of their goal