A shepherd sees drones cruise
over the pasture and blast his village
to bits. Bloody bits, he knows. He
falls to his knees, collapses.
The panicked sheep have scattered.
The dog cowers--but now approaches
the shepherd. Who holds tight
to the dog. They are both shaking.
The shepherd begins to walk
toward his village. The closer
he gets, the more wailing he hears.
His mind fades in and out.
His legs will barely carry him.
He trusts the dog will gather the sheep
and protect them.
to bits. Bloody bits, he knows. He
falls to his knees, collapses.
The panicked sheep have scattered.
The dog cowers--but now approaches
the shepherd. Who holds tight
to the dog. They are both shaking.
The shepherd begins to walk
toward his village. The closer
he gets, the more wailing he hears.
His mind fades in and out.
His legs will barely carry him.
He trusts the dog will gather the sheep
and protect them.
hans ostrom 2022
