Well Meant

After his wife's death, he would disparage
The urging of his friends to send his pair
Of lads into the local orphanage,
            For he meant well.

He even went to Ireland where he'd met
A lass he'd rather fancied in the war;
Perhaps she'd take him on. No go that bet,
            Despite his meaning well.

A jilted woman working as a mother
At the Children's Home became his wife.
He was her second best; she saw no other.
            And she meant well.

Her decision came with strict demands:
The C of E and alcohol must be
Adjured, replaced by Methodist commands.
            More meaning well!

My father's mug of tea had to be strong,
If not, it would be damned as "Methodist tea."
Which clearly put the maker in the wrong;
            Countering her meaning well.

Eventually the family added two
More boys — "her two and my two" said the man.
"No girls! then boys must lean like girls to do.
            The woman spoke her meaning well.

The eldest peeled the spuds for Sunday's lunch
And did the washing-up. Dropping a cup,
His clumsiness would earn a well-aimed punch,
            Although he'd meant well.

All told the marriage was a bumpy ride;
Made worse by number three son's wiliness
To weep at will and plausibly to lie,
            For he meant ill.