As animals

[Mark A Becker]

Hi busker - Incorporating the title into the first line, I read it as:
I lived out other peoples’ dreams
of a better life, as animals.

As animals

I lived out other peoples’ dreams
of a better life. Pack horse,
guard dog, sheep to be shorn,
bull whipped to draw the plough.

Out to pasture, heath now bare,
cracking lightning
splitting air.

I don't need the final lines. Also compressed the images and left white space to imply the passage of time.
As you know, I do like short poems.  Especially when plenty of room is left for the reader to fill in.

Thanks,
Mark