To a Weeping Willow

"the willows dip
Their pendent boughs, stooping as if to drink." William Cowper

To a Weeping Willow

The graceful, sweeping green
I remember seeing it,
my first weeping willow
 graceful trails of leaves
bending to touch its own reflection
Growing on a creek bank thick with grasses
 I lay there in the soft tufts,
 dreaming, staring up at clouds
watching the zig-zag flitters
of a butterfly.

Now days never seem so long

 
Wherever its pure tapestry reigns
in fragrant gardens, wherever 
they take root; on creek-beds 
sometimes by a charming bridge.
Weeping Willows have become for me
symbols of long peaceful days

I stop to gaze at them in gardens,
in paintings, in books that picture them
my hand lingers on the page

Beside a lacquered pond they still
 touch their own reflections
 with long, whispering  trails 

 Once, in a dream, I saw one
with pallid catkins,
 on a   lonely promontory
 beside a forgotten grave-

 an echo of grieving.

Suzanne Delaney
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
May 27, 2021 at 11:09 AM
Weeping willows have a dreamy quality that resonates with most of us ~ what a beautiful poem, Suzanne.
Poet Avatar
June 29, 2013 at 2:39 PM
Just wonderful.Added you as a Fav poet.
Duncan Avatar
June 26, 2013 at 11:40 PM
nicely done Suzy ;} glad you liked my Autumn Birth ;} you have an awesome day ;}
Posey Avatar
June 26, 2013 at 3:55 PM
SuZ, I want you to know this sparked an idea for another poem I'll attempt. This is beautifully done.... I'll credit you with the inspiration.... Love ya.. Jake
Zerbst Avatar
June 19, 2013 at 10:10 AM
Ah! What beauty here inscribed! What lingering hint of sadness! What thoughts of days passed by!
Kendrick Avatar
June 18, 2013 at 4:48 PM
Great comparison..Unique and creative work that you have so giftly penned..Thanks for the visit to my work..I appreciate you stopping by..I appreciate the consoling words about the death in my family..Sara
Horsman Avatar
June 18, 2013 at 4:23 PM
amazing free verse poetry SuZ, a joy to read...
De La Croes Avatar
June 18, 2013 at 12:45 AM
I love this kind of writing, SuZ. Thanks for sharing... David
Hunter Avatar
June 17, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Gosh, this blew me away....seriously. I'm faving it to read again later.
Thomas Avatar
June 17, 2013 at 8:56 AM
This is just so lovely suz,,, you paint a vivid beautiful picture of the weeping willows strength and grace, which I love so much. A natural gift given to us, by nature...I stop to:) thanks,for sharing, it starts off my, week in peaceful thoughts of the weeping willow.....blessings my friend, Cherie.
Tacito Avatar
June 16, 2013 at 11:08 PM
These lines had me hooked. What grace, so mesmerizing. Yet, still such a strong sadness. Fantastic job!
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