catapult magazine

The Ancient Metaphor Still Applies

by Katherine Lo

I am always going astray in some form or other,
            my thoughts during the sermon or even mid-song
                        running for the hills,
            my words in conversation leaping straight
                        into the ditch.

How embarrassing to be a sheep,
            so foolish and dependent on the care
                        of someone else.
            How unsophisticated.
                        How un-American.

I am doing my best to appear unfazed by my bruised
            and branch-caught limbs, but my heart is bleating
                        for someone to find me
            and carry me back to where I am meant
                        to be.