Sheep by the Sea, by James LaMontagne

Sheep by the Sea, by Rosa Bonheur (France) 1865

Sheep by the Sea
Ekphrasis on “Sheep by the Sea” 1865 by Rosa Bonheur
 
come all you who are weary
and burdened 
 
tell us what is unfinished
in you
 
abandon the broom on the beach
leave the broken wings in the field
 
ask us
how the ancient sea moves
and yet remains
 
We’ll tell you about
the shearers who left town
for the love they lost
in this brute world
 
the thunder-heads and head-aches
bloom beyond the horizon
beyond the reach of pain
 
our lungs do their faithful work
without dogma
or flinch or scar
 
our wool stitches the eyes
of the wolf shut
 
we are seven excuses
not to shear or sacrifice
 
we graze past the boundaries
of your country
 
you who wish to stay
stay with our fine-spun weaves
between us

James LaMontagne

James LaMontagne studied creative writing at the University of Massachusetts and has lived in Montana, Texas and Connecticut.  He currently lives in South Hadley, MA. His poems have been published in a number of small press magazines. His most recent book is Merrick (Unsolicitous Press) in 2017. He has been a jazz bassist for 40 years in various jazz bands.