Why the Willow Weeps

From seed to sapling it grew non-stop On the tall majestic Mountain’s top It spread its boughs and sank its roots Deep into it’s fertile boots But fear it did, though strong and stout “What if the rains cease an’ begins a drought” Soon it sheltered friends who came, Shared its bounty all the same Wood and branch, leaf and nut, An’ a hollowed trunk, the squirrels cut. But fear it did, though huge and healthy “Will this land stay sound and wealthy” As the years swept by the mountains stock . . . Landslides, mud-slides, soil and rock Sheared of gravel Lose of friend All alone it began to extend But fear it did, for soon it plain All of its friends chose to abstain Over the side of the now craggy cliff Full of worry and in a tiff Its crown became crooked, twisted and knurled Its knotted trunk,lumped with burl Full with fear, though holding on; “What will happen when I am gone?” Bent from storms, reaped in pain It teetered against the wind and rain, On a few scraggy roots, all it had left Deeply tucked, into the barren cleft. And fear it did, all the more “What does the Lord have in store?” On the brink of disaster, the end of its keep It’s shadow discovered, and it began to weep And as it wept, for a hundred years It soon discovered, It had lost its fear!