To practice the virtues, you’ll need to ask What a virtuous person would do in a situation Like this one, here in the health-food restaurant, After witnessing the young father, two tables away, Slap his son for spilling a glass of orange juice. Is it time to practice courage by boldly Confronting the father for his fierce impatience? Or should a commitment to justice prompt you To remain unnoticed so you can follow the pair When they leave the restaurant on the chance Of including a license number or street address In your sharply worded report to Social Services? Or is the appropriate virtue here humility, The recognition you might do more harm By having the boy placed in a foster family, Unless you could verify that his new parents Would try as hard as you believe you would try If the boy were yours? Can you muster the confidence That if the father throws down his napkin After you scold him, and walks out, as if to say, Try fathering for yourself, you’ll jump at the chance, Suddenly sure of a well of kindness within you Deeper than any you felt this morning When you left the hermitage of your leafy side street And entered the world? But if you’re too upset By what you’ve witnessed to wait for this opportunity, And make your getaway just after the slap, Hope may be the virtue you’ll turn to first, The hope that the father regretted his anger As soon as he showed it, that he’s hidden his shame Beneath a pose of cool reserve that may succeed In fooling those who witnessed the incident But not the culprit, not himself.