king of the sheep

king of the sheep
i ruled hooved
and wooly
black and brown
and red
they followed
truly
with bahs and burps
and the occasional squeals
i led them from danger
and grass green for meals

king of the sheep
i was once outcast
with musings
and silence
and never meant to last
i was a little lamb
white and alone
winter came for me
and i the gravestone

but i survived
in dirt and little
specks of mud
that made me move
and thud, thud, thud
until i climbed out
of that little snow bank
alone, yes,
with no one to thank

and this made me strong
rise beyond the others
who rode laughter and approval
from brothers and mothers
so i ruled solid
did as i did
sheep coming to coo
and hoping to bid

for protection and food
and greater wools
a promise i kept as king
until the wolves
for i was only a sheep
left by myself
sheered and powerless
against wolfing wealth