-Michael D. Strickland-
Saddened willows and the raven’s call,
where sorrow’s path and virtue’s ruin meet
the icy river flows over the falls
and righteousness fails in mire’s deep.
Of the souls lost and spirits shared
poor travelers fooled with phantom gain.
In places untrod where no one dared
one lost soul still remained.
The purest of heart and boldest of deed
go to her and her mournful cry.
They give in to temptation and greed
and should they follow, they may die.
Through the swamp’s mire and bog’s dreary
holiness wrecked and evil’s gloom
the evil soul tempts the traveler weary.
Those that follow go to their doom.
