The Shepherd

The staff of my Father enjoining the past

futurity’s herding a bleating morass 

The bloodline of orphans forever is linked 

tattooing the flock with invisible ink

The first time the last time when nearing the end

tomorrow’s ungifted excuses portend

And times better nature is better untimed

 beginning and ending forever conjoined

Eternity’s fenceposts hem in with disdain

all future inclemency fire and rain

But just as that last final sheep stays unsold

— my Father returns to re-shepherd the fold

(Dreamsleep: June, 2025)