Domesticity

Domesticity

I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also. They too will

listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

10:16

If we are all sheep, then we

are not fit for this world---

all our wildness has been bred out;

we are desired mostly for our

wool, partly for our

tender flesh.

The grizzly spends his days

growling and stalking---

sometimes foraging for

berries... other times, lying in wait for

the flock.

The lion sits beneath his tree,

restful after a

feast of gazelle,

licking blood from his paws

and mane.

Why then, if we are sheep,

can we go nowhere

unled?

Why do we bleat foolishly

down the hill and into

the arms that

shear us naked,

will someday lay the

knife against

our throats?

How is it that we have been made

so dependent...

unless it is because we

have forgotten

some knowledge that was

deep in our bellies,

branded on our souls?

The knowledge of how we fit into

this world has been lost

somewhere among the sweet

clover inside the shepherd's fence.

---John