Looking after your sheep,
you see one wander off on its own
and alone, it is so prone
to suffering.
With soft benevolent eyes, you watch
and summon your dog to cohere the sheep
with a simple gesture of your hand.
You watch them become one again.
Your single herd of sheep is a substantial force
as you have observed for the entirety of your life.
They live in correspondence with each other
in inexplicable harmony,
but the shepherd cannot be one with his sheep.
You lower your gaze to face your trustworthy dog
and you give him a good pat.
You sense his unconditional love for you
following only you for the span of his life
but you cannot convey the same love
because you know the reality of human and pet.
You own him; he is your property
so the shepherd cannot be one with his dog.

The shepherd, who is nor sheep nor dog
has no one to share camaraderie with
no other being to talk with, to confide in
to laugh with, to cry with
no one to be with.
No one can usher him into conviviality when he wanders off on his own
for he is the shepherd and he is alone
and there is no one there to shepherd him.