A Sheepish Rebuke.

 

When the Shepherd is away, Sheep will play,
and the wolf can move easily within,
and there, whisper his lies day after day,
until one day he is seen as a friend…

and some sheep will repeat his lies as fact,
and admonish those who dare question it.
For they claim instead that they feel attacked
and throw themselves into a hissy fit.

When others demand a Shepherd's return,
(For we’ve not been the same without one’s crook,)
the leadership shouts down all the concern,
pointing instead to their new holy book.

“We can not feed a new Shepherd!” one cries
which the new leader of the flock agrees,
"Do as I say! Do you not think me wise?
You elected me for choices like these!

If you want a new shepherd standing guard,
we must merge our flock with that other one!
Forget they neglected their pasture yard,
They won’t do it here! We won’t be undone!

And though they oft throw a fuss here and there,
with their un-sheeplike behavior its true,
You can trust my words, so do not despair!
we will become one, without much ado!"

Though these words were spoken from a sheep’s lips
to some who listened, the wolf could be heard
for leadership was well within his grips…
and the doom of our dear flock is assured.

I no longer feel a sheep of this flock,
even should a new shepherd come to lead.
With the wool from my eyes, I am forced walk,
from the backbiting, corruption, and greed.

So, now it is time to strike out alone:
a sheep no more, to find where I belong,
and in the wilderness, all on my own,
perhaps be transformed by that ancient song…