PAT SUBLETTE
Oregon
About Pat Sublette
Lambing in the Raw
While lambing in the raw, wet wind
A ewe was down and sore
I tried to pull her bad stuck twin
My shirt was wet; what's more
My sleeve was caught around my wrist
I had no pocket knife
There was no choice but take it off
And try to save a life
Shirt off, I had to find a loop
To ease around the head
Of that poor lamb, jammed up inside
Or both would soon be dead
Spread out my shirt behind the ewe
I’m smarter than a tick
Quickly, I realized for a loop
My bra-strap would work slick!
Off that came too, as I lay down
And gasped, the ground was cold!
I eased the loop around its head
Then twisted it for hold
Well cross my heart the ad was true
The strap was good and strong
But lift and separate lamb from ewe?
I thought that part was wrong
Inside the ewe I struggled
The lamb was getting cold
My arm was numb when that lamb come
Good Lord, I’ve gotten old!
I reached back in to get the twin
A welcome little cuss
With spotted nose between two toes
She came with much less fuss.
Then scratched them each above their tails
As both nursed on a teat
Assuring lambs that mothered-up
And drank colostrum neat
The job was over none too soon
The ewe and lambs all snoozy
But how could I sneak to the house
Looking like a floozy?
© 2009, Pat Sublette
This poem may not be reprinted or reposted without the author's written permission.
Pat comments: This poem comes from being unprepared and having to solve a problem using what is available. The results are often absurd yet, effective
About Pat Sublette:
I live in Oregon where we raise sheep and cattle. Like many mid-sized operations, I work in town and my husband, is a full-time rancher.
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