It would be so much less scary
if Batman were here
unless he has a problem with jaywalking
or recreational drug use
or the act of occasionally frequenting prostitutes
or tax fraud.
Not that I do any of those things
but I could see
how Batman might get that impression
if he can look into the hearts of men
when he bursts out of the shadows
the way they always say he does.

I’m not a criminal
but I could look
remarkably like one
from the right angle.

Maybe then
it would be pretty scary
if Batman were here
but in a different way.

Still
right about now
I think I’d prefer a little more of Batman
and a little less
of these shadows.