Easter 4
Poems
A GOSPEL TREASURY
Poems Based on Lectionary Gospels
Have you seen the sheep that graze
in thousands on the western hills?
They feed there as a scattered flock.
Then, suddenly, gathering, they move
like small, wind driven wisps of cloud,
which, when gathered,
pour bleating down the slopes.
And each bleat is a loud complaint
directed at the dogs,
those marvels of obedience who,
following the herder’s call,
or word, or hand or whistle,
run busily about,
butting, nipping, barking
and so compel them to come in.
But these are sheep without a shepherd.
They know no voice. They come not at a call.
They hardly know the herdsman
whose will controls their lives.
And they are moved by fear, not love.
They are not led but driven.
Have you ever seen a shepherd
who leads his flock?
He gathers them about him with his words.
His dogs are there only to guard.
The shepherd knows each sheep from all the rest.
And they will follow where he leads,
to pasture and to water,
to shelter and to rest.
So what then is the difference
’Twixt sheep-herder and shepherd?
The force that moves the sheep,
the threat’ning teeth or calling voice,
the fear of dogs or faith in shepherd.
And what moves your life, my friend?
Are you led by the Shepherd or driven
by the dogs of life?
in thousands on the western hills?
They feed there as a scattered flock.
Then, suddenly, gathering, they move
like small, wind driven wisps of cloud,
which, when gathered,
pour bleating down the slopes.
And each bleat is a loud complaint
directed at the dogs,
those marvels of obedience who,
following the herder’s call,
or word, or hand or whistle,
run busily about,
butting, nipping, barking
and so compel them to come in.
But these are sheep without a shepherd.
They know no voice. They come not at a call.
They hardly know the herdsman
whose will controls their lives.
And they are moved by fear, not love.
They are not led but driven.
Have you ever seen a shepherd
who leads his flock?
He gathers them about him with his words.
His dogs are there only to guard.
The shepherd knows each sheep from all the rest.
And they will follow where he leads,
to pasture and to water,
to shelter and to rest.
So what then is the difference
’Twixt sheep-herder and shepherd?
The force that moves the sheep,
the threat’ning teeth or calling voice,
the fear of dogs or faith in shepherd.
And what moves your life, my friend?
Are you led by the Shepherd or driven
by the dogs of life?
