This poem won second prize at Salisbury Writers’ Week in 2010. It recounts an incident I observed at Brownhill Creek, a lovely little reserve not far from where I live. Alongside the road which runs through the reserve are a few hobby farms.
Incident at Brownhill Creek
On the hobby farm
the man looks fondly on his flock
the dog looks up to the man
the dog looks down on the flock
the man crouches next to one of the sheep
runs his hands through its fleece
the sheep likes this
the dog thinks this is not quite right, growls disapproval
the man playfully pushes the sheep from side to side
the sheep likes this
rolls over, much like a dog
the man is amused
the dog thinks this inappropriate, barks displeasure
the man pats the sheep’s stomach
the sheep likes this
throws its head back, wriggles with joy
the man is delighted
the dog thinks this is outrageous, runs around yelping his fury
the man comes to his senses
looks at the dog sheepishly
the dog looks at the man sternly, nips the ankle of the sheep
steers it back to the flock, returns to sit by the man’s heel
looks up to the man
order is restored
mistakenforarealpoet 