THE SHEPHERD

The Shepherd


'bout a week ago
he'd rise up like an eagle
early enough to share coffee with the rooster
'looked at his rota
'damn! another flock to tame'

he wasn't affluent
no...'was just a peasant
running after a cloud tha' covered his flock
in the name of restoring their lost tracks back
'was a just a Shepherd

at the kiss of the sunrise myriad
he'd find himself at the sheepfold
        full in amour
         his staff at arm
'n just like yesterday,
         he'd sigh
   'n walk 'em away

with each successive stroke
    he'd sing 'em the heartening tune
"behold! for the day will come
          burning like an oven
when all the arrogant 'n evil
          will be in stubbles"

the flock would stop 'n reflect
on what the master really meant
they swam in quagmire
mesmerized by the message of fire
bu' some would just throw caution to the winds
'n let it pass like the dark clouds

his zeal 'n zest
never dried out
he'd keep going
though the flock couldn't get his doing
he showed 'em the water
"dilute the bitter wine," he'd utter

some saw the greener pastures
the fountains of life high
the waterfalls falling in deep azure
the streams flowing in honey
the rains showering in milk
'n their hearts were glad
                enough
to toss the dime in the air
             what a delight
              to the Shepherd

he'd even sing louder
"behold my beloved
  blessed are they who hunger
   in spirit
   for theirs is the kingdom
    of the healthier fields"

the 'weak' in heart
would follow the way
unknown to 'em the destination
the 'firm' in soul
would just look on
'n the opposite way
 they'd lead

winds would come
blow away the hours
'n soon darkness would befall
"quick" he'd say "get in, grab a space"
many are called, few are chosen

'n in the peak hours
he'd harvest his desires
lock up the flock in the fold
'n leave 'em stuck in state unknown

he'd walk back home
tired bu' not worn out
put down his amour
count his dimes
'n talk of tomorrow
another search for the 100th sheep
             'a good Shepherd'
          .
@almapoet

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