The Shepherdess
Gloomy life of female shepherds.63 total reviews
Comment from robyn corum
Linda,
You're right - this is a bit sad and gloomy. And a little surprising, too. I never considered that shepherds or shepherdesses might be miserable at their job. NEVER occurred to me.
Everything I have ever read or researched seems to indicate that these folks love their profession and consider the sheep in their charge to be much like small children. They name every one of them and care for them deeply.
I suppose there are exceptions to every rule - but I would hope the exceptions would be the sad ones, not the happy ones! Strange to consider, huh?
Thanks a lot for a thoughtful piece. Have a marvy day!
reply by the author on 04-May-2020
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Linda,
You're right - this is a bit sad and gloomy. And a little surprising, too. I never considered that shepherds or shepherdesses might be miserable at their job. NEVER occurred to me.
Everything I have ever read or researched seems to indicate that these folks love their profession and consider the sheep in their charge to be much like small children. They name every one of them and care for them deeply.
I suppose there are exceptions to every rule - but I would hope the exceptions would be the sad ones, not the happy ones! Strange to consider, huh?
Thanks a lot for a thoughtful piece. Have a marvy day!
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 04-May-2020
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Robyn: at the time of the painting from which I wrote, women did not have choices and were very vulnerable. They had little to look forward to day to day. And I think it was the male shepherd who probably named their sheep because they also used the sheep for sex while they were out in the fields grazing. Keep safe! Linda
Comment from amada
Such a great idea to celebrate a sheep...yes, sheeps are docil and quiet and never rise up and attack their master. but sometimes I think is not good to be so quiet...but that is another story. Dear friend, I celebrate your writing about the simple, the quiet, and the faithful.
reply by the author on 04-May-2020
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Such a great idea to celebrate a sheep...yes, sheeps are docil and quiet and never rise up and attack their master. but sometimes I think is not good to be so quiet...but that is another story. Dear friend, I celebrate your writing about the simple, the quiet, and the faithful.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 04-May-2020
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amada: I'm wondering if you totally missed the subject of this poem. It was not to glorify the sheep, it was to bring attention to the lonely, gloomy, vulnerable female sheperds in the field. Thanks for reading. Linda
Comment from susand3022
Hi Lydia, your words did indeed paint a picture of the glumness that a shepherdess's life would be. Nothing to think of, no dreams to dream... nothing but the bleakness of the driving winds to put your head against while you protect your flock.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Hi Lydia, your words did indeed paint a picture of the glumness that a shepherdess's life would be. Nothing to think of, no dreams to dream... nothing but the bleakness of the driving winds to put your head against while you protect your flock.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts with me. Linda
Comment from Minglement
I think the picture and your chosen color mood very nicely set the proper mood to fit this poignant poem. You create beautiful, if gloomy imagery. Well done. Nice to meet you - love your pen name.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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I think the picture and your chosen color mood very nicely set the proper mood to fit this poignant poem. You create beautiful, if gloomy imagery. Well done. Nice to meet you - love your pen name.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Minglement: thank you for reading and commenting. I don't really use 'livelylinda' anymore. I turn 72 this year, have a weak heart and am far, far away from being lively. LOLOL Linda
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Hi, Linda. I'll be 80 in December, so I know what you mean. You could change it to lovelylinda :) or languidlinda :)
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I replied earlier but maybe it got lost. You are most welcome. I know what you mean, I'll be 80 in Dec. Lol . You could change your screen name to lovelylinda or languidlinda ;) Take care. Good to meet you, Marcia
Comment from Gert sherwood
Hello livelylinda,
Your poem was sad. I like how you showed unhappiness in your free style poem, but I could see the beauty of your words--showing how alone the Shepherdess felt.
Gert
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Hello livelylinda,
Your poem was sad. I like how you showed unhappiness in your free style poem, but I could see the beauty of your words--showing how alone the Shepherdess felt.
Gert
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Thank you, once again, Gert. Linda
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You are welcome
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You are welcome livelylinda
Gert
Comment from Puzzle
I think this picture is pretty gloomy!!! Lol. It definitely is bland in color. I think this was a good choice for your piece. And I feel so bad for her. I want to give her a new life with color and excitement!! Maybe find her a man! lol great job!!
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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I think this picture is pretty gloomy!!! Lol. It definitely is bland in color. I think this was a good choice for your piece. And I feel so bad for her. I want to give her a new life with color and excitement!! Maybe find her a man! lol great job!!
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Puzzle: thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts. Linda
Comment from evesayshi
In my opinion, a definitively descriptive write in smooth and lyric free verse - narrated as a plaintive poetic tale, a life not in torment, but boredom, smoothly rendered line to line...
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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In my opinion, a definitively descriptive write in smooth and lyric free verse - narrated as a plaintive poetic tale, a life not in torment, but boredom, smoothly rendered line to line...
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Eve, thank you, once again, for reading and commenting. I appreciate your support. Linda
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You are very welcome, Linda, your talent is significant...Eve
Comment from Mastery
Let there be no question about the clarity of your poem, Linda. It is simply wonderful due to the color you bring to it. Like these lines for instance:
"Dog does his duty to protect the herd
keeping them in a tight group
all senses on alert for predators
it's a full-time job." (Yes)
I was tutored by Pam with my intro into painting btw. She is marvelous. :) Bob
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Let there be no question about the clarity of your poem, Linda. It is simply wonderful due to the color you bring to it. Like these lines for instance:
"Dog does his duty to protect the herd
keeping them in a tight group
all senses on alert for predators
it's a full-time job." (Yes)
I was tutored by Pam with my intro into painting btw. She is marvelous. :) Bob
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Thanks, Bob, for reading and sharing your thoughts about this poem. Linda
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You are entirely welcome my friend. : ) Bob
Comment from smileycloud
well , you nailed it , your words certainly did add your lonely lady to the image and also enhanced the feel and vision for the reader of the environment, the hardship and with such fine imagery your shepherdess is very much alive and so is her working dog
a lovely poem
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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well , you nailed it , your words certainly did add your lonely lady to the image and also enhanced the feel and vision for the reader of the environment, the hardship and with such fine imagery your shepherdess is very much alive and so is her working dog
a lovely poem
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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Oh, smileycloud, you have once again smiled on my writing. Thank you so much! Linda
Comment from write hand blue
I think the picture with it's sombre tones does impart a feeling of solitude. In our part of the world a shepherdess would normally return home in the evening on a four wheel drive. Although lambing season is a 24 hour calling. Your free style poem imparts an almost desperate feeling. This is an individual take. In my opinion it would have more interest if it took on a less desperate tone. Shepherding is a calling and I know that most wouldn't trade the work for anything. Nature is beautiful and being on ones own is refreshing, healthy and character building. . .
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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I think the picture with it's sombre tones does impart a feeling of solitude. In our part of the world a shepherdess would normally return home in the evening on a four wheel drive. Although lambing season is a 24 hour calling. Your free style poem imparts an almost desperate feeling. This is an individual take. In my opinion it would have more interest if it took on a less desperate tone. Shepherding is a calling and I know that most wouldn't trade the work for anything. Nature is beautiful and being on ones own is refreshing, healthy and character building. . .
Comment Written 30-Apr-2020
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2020
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write hand blue: what you don't realize is that I was moved by a very old painting a friend showed me. The picture was very dark and gloomy and from a couple hundred years ago. Believe me, the shephardess was looking distressed and hopeless with no better future in store for her. Linda
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Yes, I understand, and I think you did a good job describing your feelings. Individuals can be unhappy in any circumstances I realise that. ~Mel~
