Willow Weep No More

Past a small village, near a green pond,
in a cabin quite near the river beyond,
lived a young woman, her husband and child,
forging a life at one with the wild.
By day they worked, doing chores on their farm.
By night they loved, feeling safe from all harm.

One stormy spring day the river surged from its bank,
overwhelming the cabin and away it sank.
Miles and miles across the broad land,
the woman woke up, unable to stand.
Of her husband and child, was no trace ever found.
Though no one would tell her, she knew they had drowned.

Days came and went, tears rained from her eyes.
She shrugged off all comfort, calling it lies.
Long after the time her body had healed,
her heart stayed broken, in pain was it sealed.
Until the day a wise fairy flew by,
and asked the poor woman, "Why do you cry?"

"My family is dead, their bodies gone to the ground.
Now I live here in sorrow, no solace I've found.
How I wish I could be like a magnificent tree.
No pain, no love, my soul could be free."
With that the fairy began waving her arms,
Her voice weaving the strongest of charms.

When silence fell, the spell complete,
no woman remained, no hands and no feet.
Instead the most bountiful and beautiful of trees,
willowy branches swaying in the soft breeze.
The fairy departed, leaving her there,
to settle into the fresh meadow air.

For days beyond counting, that length of time,
she stood there alone, in beauty sublime.
So lonely did she find the passing days,
she pondered if by nature's ways,
a companion might be lured there
to rest beneath her cool green care.

One warm summer eve, the moon shining bright,
A shadow stumbled along a ribbon of light,
drawn to the river as a means of death
longing to draw his last, painful breath.
Unable to reach the river's steep bank,
between her roots to the ground he sank.

Beneath her shelter, his sleep was calm,
the sweet summer breeze a healing balm.
With a reverent touch, she caressed his face.
Of his cares and woe, she left no trace,
and as he rested beneath her lofty boughs,
she sang him songs of love and vows.

For many days he stayed with her.
In silence and sighs they did confer.
By night she soothed away his fears,
her gentle leaves brushing away his tears.
By day he told her of his dove,
a red-haired beauty with the eyes of love.

His tale was one of pain and woe,
his love twarted by a treacherous foe.
For in the years after they were wed,
he discovered her heart was lined with lead.
The day he left her, his heart shattered.
Since he'd wandered as if nothing mattered.

His story finished, the willow wept,
her branches sighing as he laid and slept.
She longed to break free of her arborial cast,
and return to her body left so long in the past.
To tread upon feet and touch with fingers,
to give love upon which memory lingers.

The very next day, with the coming of dawn,
the man packed his things, and then he was gone.
All the willow could do was watch him leave,
her branches hanging as she began to grieve.
True love she had found; two souls united,
but with his departure, it became unrequited.

Months dragged past with no warmth from the sun.
When people passed by her, she searched for her one.
She cried day and night, calling out to the fairy.
When the being appeared, her demeanor was wary.
"So you've changed you mind," the little one said,
as she lifted her arms far above her head.

Her words poured forth in a tongue unknown.
Within the willow, seeds of change were sown.
The wood transformed into its lithe, graceful norm,
and she rejoiced to feel the return of her form.
"Oh thank you so much," she said to the fey,
then set out to follow the river's broad way.

She searched all the land from mountain to shore.
Finding her love was the oath that she swore.
But no matter upon which road she travelled,
Her hopes always ended up being unravelled.
Until the day she returned to her place,
and found him there, tears wetting his face.

The moment she saw him, her heart knew release,
seeing as he smiled, a new kind of peace.
"You are the willow who healed my heart.
After I left you, my life fell apart,
so I returned to this place hoping to find
my beautiful willow with the spirit so kind.

When I found you gone, my heart broke in two.
My hopes they all crumbled, so far and so few."
She cradled his head to her compassionate breast.
"I'm here now, so sleep and take rest.
Tomorrow we begin the rest of our lives,
and find the love for which everyone strives."

While the lovers slept long and deeply and well,
the fairy flew past and cast a strong spell.
She smiled to see the peace in their hearts,
and bent to whisper, "Now forever starts."
The woman looked up at the sound of a voice,
took the hand of her love and began to rejoice.

Past the small village, near a green pond,
Two trees sway as one at the river beyond.
They grow there together, their branches entwined,
living the peace they so longed to find.
Travellers stop there to lay down their yoke,
to rest beneath the beauty of Willow and Oak.