The Sheep

the sheep
trod on melting ground
always searching
for the gem in the grass

dead trees surround him
but don't notice him
until he is pushed to look
by the snarl of a hound

he has many relatives
but few friends
and keeps on searching 
for the gem in the grass

the cold sweeps in
it is lonely

he tries to introduce himself
but they shoo him away

on the dark, quiet nights when there is time to talk
his new friends become silent and forget to breathe

the ice wind howls for his lost companions