dVerse poetics prompt to use street names: Mutton Lane, Shoulder of Mutton Alley
The town grew up around a humble sheep farm. A stone farmhouse, before they razed it, had stood a hundred years, with sheepfold attached. The last farmer, third generation of sheep farmers in the family, built a butcher shop behind the house to diversify his business. His only son, Marcus, was known as a young boy for his skill at mutton busting (sheep riding) at the local fair. Once, he entered a national competition, winning a trophy which surpassed his own height and glittered like gold. The townspeople ooohed and aahhed when Marcus returned as a local celebrity. The farm and sheep are gone, but Marcus’s grandchildren still live on Mutton Lane and manage the butcher shop adjacent to Shoulder of Mutton Alley.
an old stone sheepfold
see one’s breath doing farm chores
bleating of the lambs
a poem in my pocket 
May 30, 2018 @ 18:35:44
The appeal for me is in the sense of continuity of the community and the family despite the changes.
May 30, 2018 @ 21:26:11
Thank you!
May 30, 2018 @ 13:17:58
Love that singular fame in the sheep farmers life… you can live a long time on such a victory
May 30, 2018 @ 18:13:46
Yes, everyone has their moment to shine!
May 30, 2018 @ 07:27:42
I liked the story of the sheep farm and the line in the haiku about seeing one’s breath while doing chores.
May 30, 2018 @ 08:39:27
glad you enjoyed it 🙂
May 29, 2018 @ 23:56:35
Love the detailing in that story – it feels so genuine. Is mutton busting a thing? I hope so. The haiku is great, too, takes us right into the reality of farming.. Thanks for joining in.
May 30, 2018 @ 08:42:00
Yes, mutton busting is a real event for kids…and my nephew Marcus won a big trophy! (The rest of the story is fiction.)
May 29, 2018 @ 23:43:11
A good take on the prompt… and now a silence of the lambs!
May 30, 2018 @ 08:43:30
Thanks…you got it!
May 29, 2018 @ 21:08:42
Love! 🙂
May 29, 2018 @ 20:14:19
Well put Lynn that’s not to baaaaad, (sheepishly). I really like the story portion of the Haibun.
May 30, 2018 @ 08:45:46
Ewe are funny! 😉
May 30, 2018 @ 12:17:51
😂!