The everyday sheep that populate many of our fields are amongst my favourite animals really, and when seen dotted about our countryside they personify for me a vision of peaceful calm and tranquillity. This is especially profound around “lambing” time, with those fluffy and cute little lambs bouncing about.
Of course being predominately a “townie” from birth, I’m sure my impression is very much a romantic view, and somewhat lost in reality, but a nice image don’t you think?
When referring to sheep it mostly means the main general species of sheep, although apparently there are many different breeds. An adult female sheep is called a ewe, a male a ram, and a male that has been castrated is referred to as a “wether”. This is presumably because they now don’t know if they are coming or going, or whether to or not, meanwhile the young sheep are of course called lambs.
Now some sheep behaviour has led to them being ridiculed a bit for not thinking much, or blindly following behind others for example, but we can further consider that later on as time for a poem I think.
And what an apt title as it’s called “A Leader of the Pack” and from my fourth book Life Scene in Verse….
A Leader and the Pack
Many people have to bunch up
To follow the crowd like sheep.
But for others this is folly
And so to themselves they keep,
Being both confident and able
In their abilities and ways,
And while herds gets bogged down
They will look for better days.
It’s said who goes fastest, goes alone
And I guess that may be true.
But the strong leader type
Will always look for pastures new,
Where they seek out opportunity
They mould to satisfaction,
Whilst meanwhile the herd complains
Of their lack of life or action.
Though there’s safety in the pack
Jostling along with all the crowd,
Never having to worry much
As lateral thought is not allowed.
So with their minds stagnating
The herd moves slowly on,
But may later rue missed chances
After the prizes have all gone.
So why do people want to lead
With all that added strain?
Though I think many would do so
If they had the choice again.
For while there’s company in packs
With not very much to fear,
In that boring cheerless herd
Life is dark and very drear.
Thus the leader makes his way
Continuing to take his chance,
And while going wrong at times
His whole life will enhance!
–
So the poor sheep are maligned again there, but it seems they are produced to be flock animals that congregate and keep together from birth, with an added inclination to follow a leader to any new pastures or area. Even this is a bit random though, as I understand they mostly merely just follow on behind the first one who chooses to move! Also it seems sheep become very stressed if separated from the rest of the flock, which again is interesting.
Humans are not totally born and confined to behaviours, for while we are largely social creatures we do have the power to think for ourselves and make decisions. Obviously some people do this very much more than others, as we probably all know.
To actually go out on your own or “buck the trend” you have to be brave, and often end up alone as described here in my following poem, “Exposure”.
Exposure
It takes a very brave person
To rise above the parapet alone,
And to show themselves completely
Whilst standing on their own.
Now of course they would expect
That others would support them too.
But sadly not quite the case
As some find it hard to do,
Something else for any others,
Or maybe it’s indifference
That causes them to duck out
All safe behind their fence.
Of course they watch keenly
To see what happens next,
With their well rehearsed excuse
Or some other lame pretext,
That will justify themselves
From any exposure to the fray.
As they really do believe it’s best
To run, and fight another day.
So what of our poor victim
Now standing open to it all?
Leading a flock who didn’t follow,
And maybe smile to see him fall.
For in some cases it would suit
The cowards to say, I told you so.
We were right to keep our cover
And thus not to have a go.
Which certainly would be safer
And not take any chance to gain
Successful wins in their life,
But all their fears remain.
–
That was from my fourth book, and I think the poem gives some idea of people being individual and taking a chance. Of course that does have its dangers and also possibilities of back firing on the risk taker, but it doesn’t seem to put people off from being brave and standing up to be responsible for something.
A poem for that very eventuality follows…
Tango for One
They say it takes two to tango
And you must have two to dance.
But I don’t fully agree with this,
As alone you can make your stance!
For you are mostly responsible for,
Any bad things that happen to you.
So whilst it’s easy to blame others,
It’s largely down to what you do.
With any recorded success or not
And your choices of people met,
So any failure or unwanted grief
Is all down to your bad call or bet!
Though it’s nice to dance with another
Who makes all your troubles seem small.
But don’t be fooled it will last forever,
As it’s your fault should you stall!
–
Being responsible for ourselves sounds straightforward enough, but many people like to blame others or are afraid to try things and sheepishly look on from the sidelines where they can make their excuses. Often there are mixed emotions with this, and maybe some jealousy, fear doubts too….
From my second book a poem called “Game to Lose”………..
Game to Lose
Your game of life is often played
In front of the watching crowd,
Who see your each and every move
As you stand small, or very proud.
So the fence sitters will only watch
How others cope with their game.
And decrying all those who’ve lost
Whilst jealous of the victors fame.
For if you won’t take a part in life
You can deride and mock at will,
All those who try to do their best
To enjoy life, and so they’ll fulfil.
So that’s why I have strongly felt
It’s far better to have tried and lost.
For if you won’t compete or try
You’ll much later count your cost,
Of just cowardly sitting at the side,
Never taking any risk or chance.
Making you a lonely, boring case,
And not worth a second glance!
But by getting stuck in having a go
It’s just possible you may win out.
And that must be so much better
Than not to know a winners shout.
So our cosy spectators of the world
Will always rue not being brave,
And missed the warmth of joining in
Thus taking a sadness to their grave!
–
Now that is all quite a full circle from the start of sheep and their behaviour, but perhaps now we can recognise that at times there are overlaps with humans and that we may all have times or days of being sheepish. I think I can hear some people saying “baa, baa”, now can I?”
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