The wolf and the sheep dog

By Poet-Blogger Peter Kadel

 

Sheepdog: Young wolf, oh young wolf, you have a whole life in front of you,

the potential to defy expectations or the potential to meet them–to become a villain.

You and I are the same, walking the same path, but for some reason you see it differently.

Looking at the weak among us, I saw a chance to help, you saw a chance to hurt.

When we both became leaders in our community, I saw purpose, you saw power.

When we learned about tyrants and conquerors, I saw an enemy, you saw a role model.

When we both used our claws for the first time, I saw a tool, you saw… something else.

When the flock was attacked from the outside, we both saw an enemy.

When the flock was attacked from within, I saw an enemy, you saw an inspiration.

When the attacks became more common, we walked into the darkness together.

We both looked at the vulnerabilities; I saw a risk; you saw an opportunity.

At the end of the day we looked each other in the eye; I saw a friend; you saw an enemy.

 

Wolf: Sheepdog, the favorite son, pride of the pack, protector of the flock.

You’re a boy king; you’ve got it all ahead of you, and we both know it.

But I won’t let you take my birthright from me; the pack is mine; the flock is mine.

You believe that the weak should be coddled and sheltered; I believe they should be utilized.

You are given power and waste it on the undeserving; I take power and use it to stay strong.

You vilify the strong and the cunning; you refuse to learn from them. I won’t make that mistake.

You fear your claws; you see them as a danger. I see they are gifts, keys to power.

You fought by my side when the pack was attacked; we brought vengeance upon our enemies.

But when visionaries began to cull the weak, you froze; you could not see their righteous goal.

I thought you would finally understand when we walked into the darkness together.

You looked at the plan we had laid out, and you tried to ruin it all. You broke my heart.

I looked you in the eyes, and for the first time I saw you for what you are. A threat.

 

Editor: Leo Milmet