Sometimes Comes the Mother

“When a lamb is lost in the mountains, they cry.

Sometimes comes the mother. Sometimes the wolf.”

A grim admonition for a savage land.

Given by an old vaquero with pistol in hand.

In a place whose law is that of nature and nothing more, nothing less.

Where you’re either pitiable or palatable by the sound of your distress.

A sign of one in need or one on whom the wolves will feed.

In a world full of predators, vulenerability makes you prey.

Best not to chance a cry, and perhaps you’ll survive another day.