Lambs in the Road

(Kosovo Crisis. April 1999)

They sprayed out from the crush
at the gap. Started by the rumble
Trucks double-back wheels: Laden.
Lumbering in to the high-side
of the bend. Stopped
but for the press,
the front-runners stood,
anxious at sudden freedom,
a perilous path.
The lorry came on.
Ewes stricken, mounted each other.
Goaded on. No place to go
No choice to stay
Leading votive lambs, offerings
to some roadside deity.