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Open Poetry #33
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The Slaughter of Sheep
| Open Poetry #33 |
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The Slaughter of Sheep |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA 
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It wasn’t yet sunrise when I put my boots on, I walked down the path past the snow covered lawn, Which beautifully glistened under December’s full moon. I filled the bucket and watered the calves, Scattered some hay and latched the barn door fast, When I heard horrid sounds that held me agast. I hurried inside to look toward the sounds, Angry dogs growling, these sounds toward the ponds. I looked out the window, perfect snow on the ground. The beauty of moonlight lite the wintry scene That looked like a wonderland from one of my dreams. But the Currier & Ives plate was suddenly broken When I woke from the dream. A nightmare had spoken. There, down on the pond I saw a dog run. And realized, the worst had already begun. That howling I’d heard had been an alarm Wild dogs chasing lambs were meaning them harm. Our sweet peaceful sheep bleating, trying escape. I ran out the door, but I was too late. For down on the pond, flowed a cold bloody lake. Last spring’s lambs had fallen through ice. I struggled to drag them out as I cried. There were others further out, thin ice, what now. My family, still sleeping, I screamed “help, heeeeeeellp!” But no one awoke or heard me shout. Back to the house I hurried for aid, As wild dogs still growled and ripped off their flesh. Those peaceful sweet creatures, our sheep, had been killed. There in the moonlight when back at the pond I think that I suffered a nervous breakdown. That was 1969, the Viet Nam War. Death, blood, fighting, wild dogs galore. Every night on the news, we heard the death toll. Every day when I traveled for miles to my school, I’d think of my friends who were fighting there. I pictured our sheep with the wolves at their door. I heard of the innocents just like our lambs, Villagers, children, agent orange victims, Phenom Penh. Now today there are others who are fighting and killing. I’d do what I could to bring peace, I am willing. What do you do when there are wild dogs out roaming? I’m a pacifist by nature, I’m not a hawk honing. But upon self-examine, I must speak out my heart. There is too much blood now on desert sand dark. And I can imagine it, just like my lambs. How do you stop wild dogs' slaughter without violence? There are questions that shepherds must ask. [This message has been edited by iliana (07-26-2004 06:59 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2004 J.A.A.Powell - All Rights Reserved | |||
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A Romantic Heart Member Ascendant
since 1999-09-03
Posts 5496Forever In Your Heart |
Jo this was a very deep poem, intelligently written, being a poet, I feel the same as you with everything about war etc... Personally I think it is time for the sheep to come home....send the sheep dogs to round them up and bring'em home. Love and Hugs ~ARH  "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.They must be felt with the heart."~Helen Keller (1880-1968) |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
That is my feeling, too. It is just the remaining problem of terrorism which I don't have the answer for. Thanks for your post.  |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
thought provoking and deep stuff on a topic that unfortunately cannot be answered as simply and beautifully as the poets words evoke |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Jo~ This literally rips to the heart-core~ And this ... 'There are questions that shepherds must ask.' ... a priceless treasure~ *Huglets* ~*Marge*~ ~*When the heart grieves over what it has lost, |
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Susan Member Ascendant
since 2004-03-27
Posts 5104walking the surreal |
This was a very raw read. It speaks volumes. In 1969 my husband was 19 and training for Viet Nam as a Ranger whos job it was to track the enemy, assess the situation, and either take them out if numbers were few enough or return for reinforcements. Remember, he was 19. By the end of his tour, about 1/2 of the young men he had trained with were dead. Now my nephew rides in HumVs manning a gun. He is 25. His rig just missed a bomb in the street, the one behind didn't. A young man was killed who wasn't even supposed to be on that trip. He had just previously saved the life of his superior and was told he need not go on this one, to take a break. But he felt responsible for his commrads and insisted on going. He now lies in a cemetary not far from here. The Governer of our state attended his funeral. My heart bleeds for his family. Some war is necessary. WWII, where a mad man was invading other countries and committing genocide. When in the right, we cannot help but prevail. Even the first Gulf War had some justification, the invasion of Kuwait. But this? Unilateral action? There must be other ways. Very insightful, jo. Hugs to you - Susan Happiness isn't something that happens to you, it's created from within you. Joy is a state of mind. |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
this tugs at all emotions and was written with much heart...I was just thinking the other day about all in wars in every generation...and wondering why? Beautifully written...this was awesome |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
just an info link you may find interesting: http://www.mkgandhi.org/nonviolence Jo, there are very real differences between self-defense and the defense of weaker ones against an aggressor, and acts of violence initiated by powerful entities whose motives and modus operendi are questionable. Future historians will judge today's actions, and the truth of time may reveal on what side we stood when it comes to justice and freedom. |
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miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
Jo, I remember that day and another wild dog time where one of the registered lambs we bought at the did manage to live. Probably about a ten inch slab of skin had been almost totally ripped off. We doctored that sheep for months! It's amazing she lived! The same battling has been weighing on me a lot. I'd love to see our military come home. The big question you have asked. How does the world deal with terrorists? Disturbing write, but an excellent one. misc'e |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
Very well written. Enjoyed. JL  |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
they say nothing is impossible... |
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Cpat Hair
since 2001-06-05
Posts 11793 |
bravo... for both content and for delivery |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
Very powerful and heartrending.....A message that goes right to the heart and soul of the reader...I wish someone had the answer.... |
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JamesMichael Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336Kapolei, Hawaii, USA |
Nice writing...James |
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kaile
since 2000-02-06
Posts 5146singapore |
i have no answers to the disturbing futility you feel and can only feel this senseless helplessness along with you |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
Poets, all, thank you for your sensitive and kind posts to this poem. ....jo |
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