A Father's Heart

The heart all red with blood of years

Made soft through many throngs of tears

And sturdy with my spouse besides

Yet murky from all the world's tides

The passions deep so long endured

The caverns locked I thought secured

But when she came with eyes aflame

She would be one I couldn’t tame

I saw myself in the sweet child

Though I am mild, then I was wild

Rough years of pain and misery

To tame the heart means suffering

Oh all the aches my heart now feels

Later your tears will be your meal

Oh that I could defend this cup

You shan’t will need to pick it up

I tell you know my sweet Irene

I’ve tasted Joy oh so serene

And though I give my life for you

You need to open your heart to choose

However mean the world can be

Trust me here I know what I’ve seen

The waters black from which I’ve climbed

Surround you now and cloud your mind

Nothing I say may force your choice 

I love you dear so use your voice 

To beg for help and when you do

The Joy’ll swoop low purely for you