NATURE Poem: The Bighorn Sheep of the Badlands, by Landen Parkin

In 2004, the 200-plus animal herd began to die from pneumonia. Around 80% of the herd died before
the adults gained an immunity; however, the lambs born each spring contracted the disease and within
months were dead.” – Associated Press

Sometimes, I think of the bighorn sheep of South Dakota’s Badlands
Wise eyes surveying their domain,
Hooked horns rounded into crowns,
Kings of that melted landscape, wind-whipped and worn.

Cut down in the spring, fluid in the lungs
Pneumonia staking its claim, lambs born dying
And the herd is thinning out, burnt by bacterial wildfire.

Wise eyes tired, hooked horns heavy,
Day by day, they rule their rugged kingdom,
Their empire is slowly dying
But that does not make it any less proud, or strong, or beautiful.

Author: poetryfest

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