Shepherd's Poem

Now I lay me down to sleep, 

Exhausted by those dog-gone sheep;

My only wish is that I might

Cause them not to lamb at night.

Back into bed, then up again,

At two o'clock and four A.M....

They grunt and groan with noses high,

And in between, a mournful sigh.

We stand there watching nature work,

Hoping there won't be a quirk:

 

A leg turned back, or even worse,

A lamb that's coming in reverse.

But once they've lambed we're glad to see

that their efforts didn't end in tragedy.

There's no emotion so sublime

As a ewe and lamb that's doing fine.

I'm often asked why I raise sheep,

With all the work and loss of sleep;

The gratification gained at three A.M.,

From the birth of another baby lamb-

How can you explain, or even show?

'Cause only a shepherd will ever know!

D.L.SALISBURY, D.V.M.

APRIL 1, 1988