A Lamb to Slaughter

I separated myself from the herd
I decided to take my own path
Just from the adventures that I heard
About the good times other have had

I went through the pasture and into the forest
I saw tracks of paw prints and hooves
I could hear the wind play its own chorus
And that's when I heard several wolves

I saw their eyes and slobbering teeth
As their growl got ferociously loud
I looked down at the river beneath
   Hoping that I can swim my escape somehow

I leaped from the ledge and down to the river
The water was cold and the rapids were fast
I made it to the other side but I shivered
But the dangers were over for me at last

I was on my own for the first time in my life
Never did I think it would start off this way
I was sort of lost and soon would come the night
I need to find shelter and pray I see a new day

I found an entrance to an old dark cave
I curled up and closed my eyes after a yawn
Something inside my told me to try and be brave
And then I was awaken at the crack of dawn

Hot on my heels was an angry black bear
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me
He must've tired for he was no longer back there
Where was I now? This can't be my destiny

I was cold, hungry, and lonely; I was scared
A hawk circled the sky above me, like a hunt
A mountain lion was perched on the cliff side there
I suppose it was basking in the midday sun

I dare not disturb it and made my way further
I munched on some grass but I was homesick now
I was cautious and made really safe maneuvers
I was making good time but still feeling down

I ascended hill after hill and I couldn't keep tally
I kept my eyes open for predators and birds
And then there below, down in the valley
I was smiling because I had found my herd

I had so many stories that I could tell them
How the nights were cold and the days were hotter
How everything wasn't always so good and then
It was really like leading a lamb to slaughter!

by: James W. Mckay
June 8, 2023