The fortieth sheep introduced himself

creating confusion in the ranks.


The fortieth sheep expressed a desire to sing

and there was misery amongst his peers.



The fortieth sheep read out a poem he’ d written

making them cringe with embarrassment.



The fortieth sheep was ostracized and banned

from fence jumping in dreams.



The fortieth sheep was led out to pasture

in Coventry where he munched his greens



exchanged views with birds and worms alike,

kept track of the stars each night.



The fortieth sheep lived to be one hundred and twenty nine.

And they came in droves from near and far



to seek his blessings. The fortieth sheep

rapped their knuckles. He spoke his mind.



They listened in awe. Recorded his words verbatim.

The fortieth sheep copyrighted everything.


When the fortieth sheep died they put up a plaque.

They published his poems in a leather bound book. They


even named a constellation after him. But in

the lullabies that the mothers sang to their lambs


they slipped in subliminal warnings. For herd discipline

must always be maintained. Verbatim.