For the Fallen Lambs

I thought to watch

the lambs be guided

away from the river

so few would fall,

so none would fall

My eyes were drawn 

to weaker ones who fell 

who would not be summarized

to quash the guilt, to soothe 

where soothing should not be

My eyes found mirrors

for the fallen lambs 

with moist faces no longer able

to be saved apart from

the herd, the shepherd, and be forgotten

At every cloudlight I see

the little lamb, the quiet

and the desperate song

fallen in the river

the forceful river that looks tame