The Sheep Dog Trials

By ANEEKA SIMONIS

THE town would be hosting the Sheep Dog Trials,
Dogs, sheep an’ people were travelling for miles …
A first for the town, so volunteers rolled up,
Preparing the venue,
An’ tizzing things up!
They’d fence off sections of the local Rec,
Where the PA system was new an’ high tech …
The outer would cater for a range of market stalls,
Plus portable toilets to cover nature-calls!
The judge would be McQuilty, apparently new at the caper,
Scored a little write-up in the district local paper …
Used to be a magistrate, before he left the ‘smoke,
Fair and level-headed … a decent sort of bloke
The sheep dogs fronted, all lookin’ their best
An’ followed instructions with bright-eyed zest,
Trained to respond to off whistles an’ shouts,
Impressing the judge … an leavin’ him no doubts.
Spectators gathered, all wearin’ anxious smiles,
Keen to hear the outcome of the Sheep Dog Trials.
The loudspeakers boomed the voice of McQuilty,
A man of compassion … he declared ‘em NOT GUILTY.
Mal “Function” Pugh,
The Poet Larrikin,
Kooweerup.