Sheep

The Sheep adorns the landscape rural

And is both singular and plural—

It gives grammarians the creeps

To hear one say, “A flock of sheeps.”

The Sheep is gentle, meek and mild,

And led in herds by man or child—

Being less savage than the rabbit,

Sheep are gregarious by habit.

The Sheep grows wool and thus promotes

The making of vests, pants and coats—

Vests, pants and coats and woolen cloths

Provide good food for hungry moths.

Thus, with our debt to them so deep,

All men should cry “Praise be for Sheep!”—

And, if we happen to be shepherds,

“Praise be they’re not as fierce as leopards!”

 by Ellis Parker Butler