9 Jul 2008
Sheep trail
photo by Sharon O'Toole
She was a fine ewe
With a crackerjack lamb.
Wintered on the Red Desert
Found a buck
Followed the truck for corn
Gave up her fleece
Made the long trail
Down the Atlantic Rim
Gave birth in Loco
Kept her lamb right with her
Dodged coyotes, eagles, crows.
When the bunch trailed out
For summer country
I found her
Against the cattle guard
Lamb right there.
She looked with wise eyes
Udder ruptured
Flies at her
Laying eggs.
Plenty there for
Maggot babies.
I snagged her lamb
Hog-tied him on the flatbed
Called the neighbor
“Would you please come?
I have no pistol.
Can’t leave her
Eaten alive. Like this.â€
My knot worked loose.
That lamb rode unfettered
All the way home.
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