Best Shep Poems
Biting winds and swirling flakes of snow had finally abated
We surveyed the deep drifts, which lay on the fields
The silvery moon peeped through the clouds and lit our way
It was bitterly cold, but the pitiful sound of bleating spurred us on
Some friends and neighbours had joined us – we had no time to lose!
Grabbing our spades we worked tirelessly throughout the night
Digging out the sheep and tiny lambs one by one
Their fleeces were matted with tiny icicles
As dawn broke we had rescued all but one of our precious flock
Suddenly our trusty sheepdog Shep started barking
We trudged to where he was frantically pawing at the snow
Our hearts lifted as we pulled the final sheep out alive
At last it was time for us to return to the farmhouse
In the distance I could see gold and silver lights sparkling
and scintillating on the Douglas fir tree in church in the village.
I raised my eyes to heaven and gave thanks.
A Winter Poem
Sponsor Shadow Hamilton
Required words
silver, gold, sparkling, flakes, icicles, drifts and spades
12~02~16
Categories:
shep, animal, snow, winter,
Form:
Free verse
Sitting on the front porch in the evening shade,
strumming on a flattop guitar that was made
to play along with a country song
about a sad heart who was done wrong.
Old Shep beats his tail to the tune,
enjoying the breeze and the croon
of the melodic voice which fills the air,
encouraging the birds to sing with flair.
Friendly neighbors stop by to listen with glee
to the one-man show which is free,
there isn't anything he can't play,
taking all requests on any day.
Favorites are heard and the group is a part
of the dusk-like entertainment considered art,
joining together with voices raised up high,
taking a walk down memory lane with a sigh.
Sitting on the front porch in the evening shade
is a summertime thought that will not fade,
singing along with the guitar,
making sounds in unison near and far.
Categories:
shep, music,
Form:
Rhyme
The cellar door where I could find him,
just dreaming his cares away,
thinking of his younger days,
when he would roam
the back woods looking
for rabbits or a bird or two.
Cellar door was where he always
laid to escape the hot summer sun
and to take in the cool breezes,
that sometimes blew his way.
Cellar door where I would go
and talk with him and get a kiss
or two and a wag from his bushy tail,
putting my arms around him and
remembering our days of childhood.
Old Shep passed on in 1960, the year I turned 17,
remembering so many things about him and that
old cellar door.
wrote 3-30-11
Categories:
shep, devotion
Form:
We lived in a home near
the edge of the woods.
Old wooden floors would
creak with every step.
One night when I was
home alone with only our
German Sheppard dog,
Shep, to keep me company,
The boogeyman came calling.
He was dressed all in black
with a hood covering his head.
I had already retired to bed.
I lay there awake in the dark
Thinking of a myriad of things
I needed to attend to next day,
As I flipped over from left to right
I saw that boogeyman leaning
In close, right over my face.
I am ashamed to admit that I
Screamed like a little child, then
Quickly drew covers over my head.
Now Shep didn't bark, which I
Found really quite strange, and
I lay there very still barely breathing.
I listened to hear steps on the floor,
But the house was quite still.
After about fifteen minutes I got
Brave enough to slowly uncover.
The boogeyman had vanished
Without a sound or evidence left.
He scared the daylights out of me!
I called Shep over and made him
Sleep with me, holding onto his
Paw when he tried to creep away.
The boogeyman never returned,
But I never forgot his chilling visit.
May 27, 2016
A True Story
Boogeyman Contest
Sponsored by: Nayda Ivette Negron
Sixth place
Categories:
shep, dark, fear, mystery, scary,
Form:
Narrative
The tree was magnificent in all its green glory
Its limbs spread proud and true
Beautifully shaped and full of new growth
It stood tall against the blue.
Many a child it had seen evolve
In the seventy years in the yard.
Silently there but always aware
Some years were particularly hard.
The summer of 64 was the year
When the teenage boy ran away
The mother spent many a day in the shade
As the tree kept the sadness away.
82 was the year of the storm
When the tornado threatened its world
But the tree stood firm and survived the blow
Of the wind as it turned and swirled.
1994 was especially hard
When the collie named Shep had died.
Now buried below the tree by the rock
It watched as the young girl cried.
The wedding was beautiful all in white
As the daughter became a bride.
Out in the yard, under the old oak tree
Even the father cried.
The rocking chairs now sit on the porch
As the age of the parents shows.
The old oak tree looks worse for wear
But a new young tree seedling grows.
Categories:
shep, family, tree,
Form:
Rhyme
Old shep and me, while
growing up, that's the way
it was.
For this dog was my
best friend I ever had,
wherever I went he
was sure to go.
Waited for me
at the drug store
and the movie theater
week after week.
He was one I could
talk with hour after
hour, troubles were
poured over to him,
he would not take
his eyes off me
until I was through,
then as tears flowed
down my face his
long dark tongue
would wipe them
away, which would
give me a smile.
Bike riding always
found shep along
side of me where-
ever I went.
Shep's home was
under the porch
and that's where
I could always
find him.
After nine beautiful years,
by my side this pal
of mine left this world,
which broke my heart
will never forget
this unforgettable
dog, until the
day I also leave
this world.
wrote 8-27-08
Had shep from 1951 to 1960
He lived from 1946- 1960 I was only three years older than he was.
Categories:
shep, childhood, petsme, drug,
Form:
Free verse
Mum will be worried and tonight will be a frost
The sun is going down quickly I know I am lost
Not at all sure if we are on the right track
Shep, you are smart you'll find the way back
It really is my fault, you only have one bad habit
I shouldn't let you chase that big old buck rabbit
Watching you run after it was ever so much fun
If dad was there he would have shot it with a gun
Time sure went fast Shep, what happened to the day
I've had a real good time, and we both like to play
Not at all scared, if we see a bear you will bark
But we better hurry home, can't be out after dark
Silly me, I couldn't remember which way that we went
But you are a smart dog, you will pick up the scent
Mum will be really worried, she'll be a nervous wreck
Dad consoling her, saying "He's okay with Old Shep"
We will be safe, I can feel it in my heart
You're a brave dog Shep and very, very smart
Oh, Shep there it is, I can see our family home
Lets run all the way and I'll get you a big bone
Mum, Dad and Sis are smiling and waving like mad
They are happy to see us, and I'm twice as glad
Now we are home, the day has come to an end
I love you Shep, you really are my best friend
Categories:
shep, animal, child, dog, life,
Form:
Rhyme
It was the start of a decade not to be forgotten.
It was my growing up period. A very bad year for me
in many ways. My last year of Jr. High I was kicked out
for smoking in boy's restroom. Then a few months later
I was kicked out again in my first of high school,
smoking on school property as the Vice-Principal was
waiting for me out side of door way, as I lit up, there he
was. My dog shep died just before school started.
After those things it was a great year. Some great
TV shows were on that year, the debut of the Andy
Griffith show with good old Barney Fife as his deputy.
Then there was the Jack Benny Show, My Three Sons,
and Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and many more.
The Pittsburt Pirates defeated the New York Yankees in
Seven games in a huge upset. The Eagles upset the
Green Bay Packers in the NFL Title Game, this was way
before the Super Bowl. Movies coming our way were
Psycho a very scary movie. David Jansen made a movie called
"Ring of Fire", where he played a Deputy Marshall overpowered by
these two escaped convicts and this girl, they took him hostage,
up into the Oregon Forest, this fire breaks out creating a lot of drama.
John F. Kennedy was elected our President, I was too young to vote for
him, but if elected again I was going to vote for him. This was before i
became a Republican, but then came November 22, 1963 changed all of that.
My friend Danny and I started our 3rd year working at the Iowa State Fair
as ticket takers on the midway. That fall him and I went to our
first sock hop at our new school East High, we didn't dance with anyone,
we went to look at the pretty girls, us being too shy to talk with them.
Our football team had a great season with a 6-2 record. They won the big
six conference and the City Championship. I really miss going to those
high school football games.
Music was starting to go downhill for me, until Chubby Checker came
out with the song "The Twist" then later came the Beach Boys and Dion
was great. Was so young in 1960 i had my whole life in front of me,
now most of it is behind me. But those were great times.
Written 8-18-11
Categories:
shep, nostalgia, school, football, life,
Form:
Free verse
My name is Tom and I'm the cat here on Manor Farm
Let me introduce you to the gang .
I rule the roost as you will see and ginger the chicken she agrees.
The stable door top half open ,Mr Ed the horse says morning well he is a talking horse !
And daisy giving milk she's my favourite, cant think why !
I stroll over to the sty and give Dave a hi who's one happy looking pig
Shaun the sheep is in his field playing with his kids
and Shep the sheep dog is sat in the shed and he his fast asleep
And that's how he will stay, as I don't fancy being chased today.
Now over to the duck pond to see Donald and his crew. Huey , Dewey, and Louie
And finally to the farm house where the humans live. who are pretty good to me !
However them there humans have some nasty traits
They eat gingers kids for breakfast
Dave is turned into bacon and daisy into steak
Shaun gets the chop with mint and peas and the Donald is sold to the local Chinese
and Sheps pups are sold as a pets.
and Mr Ed is made to chases Fox's. Which is really not the best !
so all in all I'm just saying us animals are the best .
The cast
Manor farm : animal farm the farm out the book
Ginger : chicken run
Mr Ed : the talking horse 60 sitcom .
Daisy : magic roundabout children's TV program
Dave : are well been naughty here Google David Cameron and pigs, humm best not
Shaun : the sheep children's TV character
Shep : a dog on a UK children's program Blue peter
Donald : Disney duck and his nephews
Humans : Us
comp entry 15022016
Categories:
shep, farm, fun,
Form:
Light Verse
We had a little Beagle named Cindy,
such a sweet little girl she was,
brother Darrell training her so well,
to be a great hunter, and that she was.
My dog shep and her got along just fine.
Had her for almost two years, until one day,
while chasing a rabbit across the steet,
poor little Cindy didn't see the car coming
down the way, she was killed outright.
Such a poor sweet and most tender dog she was.
Our friend old Ben carried her from the steet and
placed her small little body on the green grass
that she used to play in many times, then he
came and told us the sad news. She was with
us a short time but so many dear sweet memories
that dear dog left in our hearts.
Written 8-15-11
Categories:
shep, pets, sweet, dog, dog,
Form:
Free verse
Many years ago walking down
railroad tracks with my old dog shep.
We always passed by this old hole
next to tracks that laid over a little
bed of water.
One day shep got to close,
and slid down toward hole,
he was stuck real tight,
I went home to get a rope,
when I got back, he was no where
to be found, after looking all over
for him, I went home and there he
was on front porch, like nothing had
happened, looking at me and wagging his
bushy tail, as I got down to his level, kisses is
what I got from this fine dog, don't know
to this day how he got home without me
seeing him, but that was shep for you.
We had many adventures, this was just one of
them.
Written 8-7-11
This really happened in Grinnell Iowa around 1953 or 1954
Categories:
shep, pets, old, home, day,
Form:
Free verse
The land just outside of Heaven,
the bible doesn't mention it, but
it's there just the same.
I saw a vision of it, the day
my dog Murphy died, as I held
his gentle paw after he had passed on.
I saw a green field, where he was
running so free and yet so
young again.
Playing with all the other dogs,
that were there, seemed they were
all so happy and no pain did I see.
Then Murphy stopped and looked
at me, as if to say, see Jim
it's ok, don't worry, I'm find,
my pain is gone, I'm young again,
just the way I was when I became
your dog, so many years ago.
Then I saw my dog Shep and Brandon
and all of my other dogs I ever had,
in the land just outside of Heaven.
Now for all people out there
feel at ease, for your beloved pets
are there and so at peace.
I will see my beloved Murphy again
after I have been in Heaven a while,
God will let me go over,
to the land just outside of Heaven
where I will throw my arms around
him and be so happy again.
Then all of my dogs will gather
around me to tell me things I
never knew before.
So Murphy some day I will
come and see you once again
to the land just outside of Heaven.
wrote 3-5-10
after Murphy had died I held his paw in my hand and I did see a vision of him there, strange
but true.
Categories:
shep, inspirationalhappy, me, pain, dog,
Form:
The Farmers Wife.
Three sheep in the pig sty
how on earth did they get there?
The cows are in the stables
does anybody care?
The horses are in the top field
well, there's nothing wrong with that.
But the three sheep in the pig sty
were guided by our cat!
Why everything is topsy-turvey.
there's confusion all around.
Where's Shep our sheep dog?
He's nowhere to be found.
The farmers wife has realised
that farmers missing to
so without haste she goes to work
there's just so much to do.
Then just as she had finished
and turned to go to bed
she heard old Shep the sheep dog
Locked with farmer in
the garden shed.
Categories:
shep, animal, cat, confusion, farm,
Form:
Rhyme
Shep the pup was working the sheep;
He had to work hard to earn his keep.
Away, come bye, walk in; but never a scold,
Because he always did what he was told.
Keeping all the sheep safe from harm,
Watching the sheep from dusk til’ dawn,
When he did something good, he always knew
Because the master always said: “That’ll do”
The farmer’s wife made him special treats,
Biscuits and gravy; even better than sweets!
When one day a new pup came home and stayed,
Shep helped the young lad, and taught him the trade.
He taught how to move the sheep with just one try,
To balance and shed, but mainly to use the eye.
The master was so very impressed,
For the new pup learned fast, who would have guessed?
“The new pup is grand!” he would tell his wife,
He learns with ease, without trouble or strife.
Shep and the young pup fly,
Stayed together as man years went by.
You may hear people talk of the great Border collie,
Just know the best of all, was Shep and the puppy.
Categories:
shep, animals, life
Form:
Rhyme
I start in the morning
With a spring in my step
Like an excited puppy
Full of vigour and pep
But at the end of the day
I walk with a heavier step
And feel less like a puppy
And more like “old shep”
Categories:
shep, funny
Form: