The Ganadero's Lament
Calling Lima, Lima, Lima,
This cry sings out above
The baaing, surging woolies
Striving forward, push and shove.
The ding, ding, ding of tin dogs,
Bark and nip from flesh and blood,
Whoosh and whistle move sheep onward,
They flow, they ebb, they flood.
The corrals that stood in silence
Now ring out with urgent noise,
Prods a’tapping, dogs a’yapping,
“Lima, Lima,” comes a voice.
It’s a call beyond the clamor,
Heard above the coyotes yip,
Heard below the raven’s cawing,
Past the snapping crack of whip.
These men name their ancient city,
An echo from their home,
A ganado’s destination,
It rings out like a poem.
“Lima, Lima, Lima”
It sings out like a song,
Earth and sheep and sky
The home for which they long.
Antonio Basauldo, who calls "Lima, Lima' when moving sheep
Government Corrals, Medicine Bow National Forest
photo by Sharon O'Toole
