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The Sheep Stood On the Burning Deck

The sheep stood on the burning deck, when all but he had fled 
Someone had placed the captain's hat upon his woolly head 
So bravely stood the sheep upon his first and last command 
Promoted to high station and to duty's dire demand. 

Beyond the ship to starboard, he surveyed the churning sea 
And the crew, all in their lifeboats, working furiously, 
To gain a good safe distance, they rowed both fast and well 
So they would not go down with the ship beneath the final swell. 

Comes the moment, comes the sheep and, as the captain on the deck, 
The sheep stood in command, but with a rope tied round his neck 
As the waves came lapping up and all the flames went dying down 
It sank beneath the waves with the sheep and his proud crown.

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Ina Goodling

Date: 1/2/2023 3:28:00 PM

The title caught my eye right away. Very thought-provoking poem. It may be a rather cruel sentiment to say that a captain should go down with his ship, but I would never call any captain a coward for valuing his life too much to do so. Bestowing the rank upon a helpless animal and then tying it to the sinking ship for good measure? Absolutely beyond cowardly and despicable. I would love to know your inspiration for this. :)

Lee Leon
Date: 1/17/2023 2:48:00 AM

Thank you, Ina. There was no particular inspiration for this. For some reason that I do not completely understand, I have a strange compulsion to write silly poems about sheep. Very often, I will start a poem with a line or two and then just see where it goes - and this is where this one went. "The Sheep Stood On The Burning Deck" seemed to be a very promising start to something.