No Rising of the Sheep

The shepherd has been a constant presence in folklore and religion, usually as a symbol of the struggle between the powerful and common people, or as a wise leader. References to the shepherd crop up in stories from around the world and throughout the ages. Bill Bradford contemplates these connections as he moves from being a herder of sheep to an activist and trade unionist. These poems reflect his love of the animals he worked with, his thirst for social justice, and his concern for the environment. Drawings by Northland artist Thomas Lauterbach vividly bring the character of animals and people to life.