Ba Ba Bad Shepherd Boy

Watery eyed thoughts came,
Zap! Pow!  a short circuited brain.
Inward turned burned ocular pain,
too many thoughts to restrain 
I’m a cheap sheep making my mistakes again.
Smell my seared wool going down the drain.
Ba, ba, blackishly wishing I was right as rain.

Words accessed by my fingertips
help to quicken my sheepish heartbeat
Yet I bang on my keyboard, DELETE, DELETE!
Ripping out digital scores, sheet by sheet.
Never once listening to what  other sheep bleat.
Instead I feel my brain draining
as my barnyard thoughts are straining
I can’t  translate what they’re saying.
It sounds to much like blah blah complaining.

I’m watching you fake shepherd boy,
black sheep never sleep
into the darkness we’re destined to creep.
Sad sadistic secrets you’ve burdened us to keep
So we push our charred thoughts way down deep,
as we travel paths dangerous and steep.
Within the silence of the lambs,
you devilishly relish hearing us weep.

While I admire fleece as white as snow.
I’m not inclined to go where those sheep go.
Their path leads to your fictional rainbow.
They’re not safe just because they travel slow.
The True Shepherd wouldn’t lead them to and fro
I listen to my uneasy queazy feeling 
and exit your proverbial row.
I wish I could stop them too
but, ba ba ba, to the slaughter they go.


For Wow Me Poetry  Contest entered August 26, 2019.

Written August 21, 2019

Re-entered in John Hamilton’s N/A contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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12
Ashley Avatar
September 30, 2019 at 6:45 PM
The creative way you express your thoughts through your deep and compelling poem amazes me, Richard. Artistic imagery enhances your thought provoking piece. Congratulations on your wonderful win. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Lamoureux Avatar
October 1, 2019 at 7:36 AM
Thanks Susan, much appreciated. Hugs Rick.
Blodgett Avatar
September 27, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Loved your sense of tenacity and trepitation. It poses an exciting punch!! Lonna
Lamoureux Avatar
September 27, 2019 at 6:22 PM
Thanks Lona.
There Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 10:11 PM
Congratulations, Richard! :)
Lamoureux Avatar
September 27, 2019 at 8:04 AM
Thanks HT hugs Rick.
Hamilton Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 7:30 PM
Hey Rick glad to see this one at the top, hard to believe it didn't make the cut in another, oh well every judge has their own criteria, congrats!
Lamoureux Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 8:42 PM
Thanks John, much appreciated.
There Avatar
September 14, 2019 at 9:46 PM
What a deep and intense read... You definitely pulled away from the pack with this piece. So many don't realize it's okay to be different and have your own unique way of thinking and doing things. They travel along sheepishly, afraid to step out of line, forgetting there was ever another choice.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 9:02 AM
Great comment.
De Beaulieu Avatar
September 4, 2019 at 2:28 PM
Hello Richard, yes the sheep eventually go to slaughter. Then new ones are born again a recycle of life. have a nice day my friend. Hugs. Darlene
Lamoureux Avatar
September 26, 2019 at 9:03 AM
Thanks and a big hug.
Proxenos Avatar
September 2, 2019 at 1:14 AM
A poem with heaps of imagination and a story related which is a WOW. I have faved this poem Richard, as the depth of it is breathtaking and your creativity is great. Sad line 'ba, ba, ba to the slaughter they go' - I can understand why there are so many vegetarians in our world! Hugs, Jennifer.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 2, 2019 at 8:03 AM
Thanks Jennifer for your expressive comment. Hugs Rick.
Connelly Avatar
September 1, 2019 at 8:19 PM
Wow Richard very powerful indeed. Particular lines that I particularly loved were the idea of a fleece white rainbow (I've used an albino peacock, and a rainbow in a black and white movie); and certain words like "proverbial" and the "fake shepard boy", as well as others. I feel a tension of possible bouts with religion. But either way; a totally solid piece of poetry with a lot to be said. Thank you Richard.
Lamoureux Avatar
September 1, 2019 at 8:29 PM
Thanks for dropping by Jeff. Great comment. Blessings Richard.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:27 PM
Hi Gershon, I didn’t see a soup mail.
Wolf Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:21 PM
A 'Dolly' of a poem, Richard! Amazing... as well, amazing that this wasn't one of the ten best in the contest. Oh, well. No accounting for taste whatsoever. Grand poem, sir!! Best wishes, Gershon (Soup mail, please)
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:23 PM
On my way to read soup mail.
Raven Avatar
August 25, 2019 at 3:56 PM
Hi Richard, I have read this one a few times now and it is your usual excellence. The words flow and the deep thoughts come through. Once again, this piece does show your creativity. A deep and creative write Richard. Loved it from beginning to end. Words so true. A fave. Have a wonderful evening. Your friend always....Mike.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:42 AM
Thanks Vlad. :0)
Callus Avatar
August 25, 2019 at 3:02 AM
This is excellent, Richard, deep and thought provoking. Black sheep or ugly duckling...both live for what they are and what they believe; different, maybe, but at least they are not brain-washed. a fav ~ Regards // paul
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:43 AM
Thanks Paul, well said.
Riabi Dziri Avatar
August 24, 2019 at 8:59 AM
A WOW poem, indeed! I kept reading and reading.. deeply appreciating the beauty of your poetry! You make your reader reads up to you, trying to decrypt your inner feel and profound thoughts.. Your poem is captivating.. it lends itself to many a reading! Even though a reader fails to unveil the mystery of a work of Art, the contentment and the charm of reveling in an artistic beauty is immense! Another fave! My warmest regards and blessings.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:45 AM
You are kind Besma.
Hamilton Avatar
August 23, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Truer words never spoken, too bad there are so many baaaad shepherds out there, but they do sport their rolex's well don't they? Fleecing the sheep is big business these days, oh what the Fine Shepherd must be thinking!
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:46 AM
So true, and so many lining up for the privilege.
Kiser Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 1:24 PM
A powerful statement. The blind leading the blind. Our world is in limbo now.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 26, 2019 at 8:50 AM
Much appreciated. ;0)
Rose  Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 6:11 AM
We got so many more sheep then leaders, so many people afraid to think for themselves, that is a crying shame, Your poetry hits home dear Richard. Wish I could express it so eloquently as you did. Have a great day . Hugs.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 8:52 AM
Good morning Pixie and thanks for such a thoughtful comment.
May Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 9:01 PM
A well woven write Richard..
Lamoureux Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 8:54 AM
Ha ha, just trying to put my wool to good use.
Milgate Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 4:49 PM
clever poem!! love the last part too often to the slaughter they go. just the entire poem so clever. Hope we can stop those sheep from environmental disaster.
Milgate Avatar
September 8, 2019 at 10:15 PM
Very true Richard, very true.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 8:55 AM
Thanks Linda, environmental, social and spiritual.
Sands Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 1:21 PM
Good one Richard. The second stanza, had me laughing. Interesting poem :)
Lamoureux Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 8:56 AM
Thanks Heidi.
Andresen Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 1:12 PM
- The black sheep is not bad Richard, it's just different ... you have to be proud to think differently ... it's a privilege ...your writing gave me this deep thought :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Lamoureux Avatar
August 22, 2019 at 8:57 AM
Thanks Anne-Lise. Hugs Rick.
Pandit Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 11:22 AM
I found the depth and essence of you write in the final stanza..While I admire fleece as white as snow. I’m not inclined to go where those sheep go.Their path leads to your fictional rainbow. So wise and so true! An excellent original creation, Richard.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 11:34 AM
Thanks Vijay.
Mcconnell Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 10:40 AM
Rather amusing piece Richard really enjoyed this and loved your superb rhyme and flow. Blessings, Gordon
Lamoureux Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 11:04 AM
Thanks Gordon.
Cunningham Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 10:20 AM
Haha, the delete button on my keyboard is well worn. Tom
Lamoureux Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 11:05 AM
Mine too.
Chiri Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 10:09 AM
Rick your poetry never fails to tell a story! And I love your stories!;)
Lamoureux Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 11:05 AM
Thanks Brenda, hugs Rick.
Adams Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 9:58 AM
this was a witty and fun read from your pen...of how many times this black sheep has hit delete, delete, delete as well! Great poem and flow Rick....i adore this one :) hugs
Lamoureux Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 11:06 AM
;0) thanks and a big hug back.
12
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