Zeus the Philanderer (Poetry Monthly)

A family man, he looks benign;
a father figure that one can trust,
but behind the harmless persona
lurks someone who’s full of lust.

Seduces his victims by looking frail
and for their virtue he has no regard.
Disguises himself as a helpless swan
or as a bull and he is a blackguard.

He has acquired quite a reputation
for putting notches on his scorecard
but the past has caught up with him
and he is hoisted by his own petard.

He’s been accused of sexual abuse
and acting mercilessly in cold blood,
yet when he’s asked to make a plea
his reply is, “I’m not guilty, m’lud.”

© Luigi Pagano 2016