The Bad Dad

Distracted by his true love’s beauty,
he'd overlooked his father’s duty
towards his sons and dreamy daughters,
and while he wrote upon the waters

(in rhymes romantic, youthful, yearning
because his heart, with love, was burning)
resentment rose, like lava flowing:
volcanic voice was carping, crowing.

Like siren’s, screeching, screaming, sounding,
upon his aging head was pounding.
Apocalyptic hoofbeats banging,
the death-knell of cold comfort clanging.

And he’d neglected other creatures!
Those faun-like friends, with fairy features.
While he'd been courting, crudely kissing.
Their grandpappy, these doves were missing!

Dear God, forgive this foolish fellow,
who's mercilessly mild and mellow.
Besotted and beguiled by beauty,
he's deaf to all demands of duty!