Once Willows Wept Not

'Tis now known why the Willow weeps, a tragedy of love, its memory keeps. For once a young man and young maid, on tender grass, beneath branches lay. Though pledged by birth to another, from clans they hid, to be together. Thus, the gentle Willow was their choice, meeting beneath, till love they could voice. The Willow held these secret lovers dear, so would lower its boughs, when they drew near. Thus tucked away in the Willow's womb, could lay as one, yet this love was doomed. For jealousy lurked within the pines, spying young lovers thus entwined, behind Willow's curtain of slender limbs, He swore the maiden, would yet be his. Thus, it came to pass one day, as young maid softly made her way, to their Willow, deep within the glen, espied the branches did already bend. Timidly, as she did draw near, soft sound of sorrow fell upon her ears. Parting Willow's branches to look within, a dampness did touch upon her skin. The Willow was shedding sap laden tears, for the young man, in death, was near. 'Twas an arrow that had been used, a potent poison, the tip infused. The maiden, now blind with grieving mist, pulled out the arrow, held it, in clenched fist. Whilst cradled in love's arms, did he draw last breath. Then, young maid, plunged the arrow, into her breast. And so it is, that this story is told, as the Willow's grief would not be consoled. For unable to stop what had befell, the young lovers, it had hid so well. With will broken, as lovers lay dead, the Willow, its branches, never again spread. And because it is the memory it keeps, it is to this day, that the Willow weeps.