If You Knew

“I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being" Unknown Stood at the window, yesterday watching you pass the time away, sitting beneath a willow tree, beyond the pasture at the edge of the woods. Too far for me to see your tears. But sensed the burdens, felt the fears... the sadness that you emptied there; a grief, you knew it understood. At first, I found it odd to see the strange camaraderie between contrasting entities --- You, and that weeping tree. After a while, it appeared as if you summoned it near, and I swear, I saw the tree lean in and render to you its ears, disguised as waving branches, millions of lobes stood at attention, devoted to your voice, alone. Your soul. Your verse, your haunting song. Too sad for you to sing out loud, exposed on stage, to judging crowds. For fear that they'll see through you song, straight to your soul, dilapidated. A soul that life's exacerbated. So you go to share each secret to the willow, who will keep it in its roots, tucked safely there. The world won't care. I see now, why you've drawn close to that willow, standing post; guarding secrets and your soul. And I suppose the willow, too, has secrets buried in its bark, akin to those within your heart. Releasing tears, long overdue, perhaps the tree leans in to you, assured that you will not repeat--- the reasons why the willow weeps. I know, too, but can't tell you.