A sheep’s cry

I gaze longingly
The other side invites me.
The lush green pasture calls my name.
It’s everything I’ve longed for.

How long?
How long till I get what I want?
Till I am content again?

I want it. I want it. I want it.
I have waited far too long.
If I don’t get it,
I’m going on my own.

The wait becomes unbearable.
I set out.
Determined to find a better place.
I can certainly do better than this.

I leave.
Through thorns and brambles,
I make it to the other side.

It’s beautiful.

All that I dreamed of and so much more.
I walk further
It’s straight out of a fairy tale.

It gets darker.
I hear something in the bushes.
Terrified, I begin to run.

All that I wanted has turned
Turned into my greatest fear,
My biggest nightmare.
I pick up the pace.

I look back for a second.
All i can see is a black bear.
It’s literally do or die.

I run straight into gentle hands

They pick me up.
I recognise this familiar touch.
It’s my shepherd.
My keeper. My refuge. My strength.

I watch my shepherd fight.
Fight this bear with all his might.
The battle is won.
I’m on the winning side.

But there are scars.
I look closely and see
Nail-pierced scars that were borne for me.

-Melissa Monteiro