“Hang close, my dear”
Her motherly words chimed
Through the great span of evergreens
Obscuring, the surest paths home

They once remained
In devout pursuit
Skewering the branches
To lasso his ever-roving soul

“Never part ways, my son”
Her words sorrowfully rang
As they cleared uncharted earth
Scouring for a mind set adrift

There was only loss
Prevailing over the rolling hills
A morbid, sprawling silence
Declaring fearfully
“Mother, I have strayed too far”