Plain Deeds of Complex Characters

So many grey tints, so much

Moral ambiguity,

Such fine chiaroscuro,

It’s obligatory now—

If you like a character,

Enjoy the fiction it’s in,

Want to praise the story told,

You must emphasize the lack

Of black hats and of white hats,

Virtue without villainy,

Villainy without virtue.

Back stories for everyone,

For every sin some reason,

Sad shadows for every saint.

This is what’s realistic,

And certainly the actors

Of the human world

Mix. Not always the actions.