Willow

I dreamed that snow fell on the hill,
while far below the sea was still;
it covered paths that we once knew
when I was so in love with you.

I saw the bridge where we would stand,
lips pressed together, hand in hand,
where we sought shelter from the rain
when my heart smiled and felt no pain.

But as I wakened from my sleep,
one vivid vision I did keep...
a weeping willow, bowed so low
beneath the cold and frigid snow.

I wondered at this solemn sight
and as the day gave way to night
atop the hill, beneath the moon,
I thought I saw a willow swoon.

I thought about the grassy knoll
where on the verdant green we'd stroll
then lie there gazing at the sky
with future hopes, just you and I.

But then one day the clouds rolled in,
obscured the sun, brought thunder's din;
the day you smiled and said to me
that I would have to set you free.

You said you'd found another joy.
A photo showed a baby boy
for whom your life you wished to live;
the only thing I could not give.

Now shadows cover everything
and all the birds have ceased to sing.
I climbed the hill above the sea
where you once pledged your love to me.

And on the spot where last we met,
a day that I shall not forget,
where tears fell for the love I'd known
a weeping willow, there, had grown.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Canerdy Avatar
July 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Beautiful, moving~~and so sad. CONGRATS on your win, Ron. Nature plays such a strong role in our memories. Janice
VanHooser Avatar
July 18, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Thank you for your kind words Janice! I was surprised at how well received this poem has been. Thank you again! Ron
Jones Avatar
July 2, 2026 at 5:18 AM
Melancholic yet beautifully so! Congratulations Ron on your win!
VanHooser Avatar
July 2, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Thank you Karen! This poem took a long time to get right, it will probably get more editing with time, but I'm glad you liked it, thank you for your kind words! Your friend, Ron
Poet Avatar
July 2, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Congratulations on your contest win with your excellent poem, Ron.
VanHooser Avatar
July 2, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Thank you it is always gratifying to have a poem recognized, it is like my kids doing well at something! LOL But seriously, each one is intensely personal so having a poem do well in a contest is as encouraging as positive comments. Thank you again! Ron
Gauthier Avatar
November 24, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Congrats on your fine finish in Mark's Marathon, Ron ~ well done
Toney Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Ron, congratulations on earning an Honorable Mention in the 2025 Poetry Marathon’s FINAL Placement Contest—your poem stood out in a very competitive field of submissions. The poems of the 37 qualifiers can be accessed from my current "Finish Line" blog post. Time to take off those running shoes and give those feet a rest!
VanHooser Avatar
November 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Thank you Mark! It was a pleasure to take part the poetry marathon. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Ron
Ashley Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Dear Ron, congratulations for your success in Mark's contest with your potent and poignant poem beautifully expressed with lilting poetic finesse. I was especially struck by "where tears fell for the love I'd known/a weeping willow, there, had grown" -so profound, your tears the seeds for the weeping willow! Oh the timeless ache of a love lost! An exquisite poem of heartbreak. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
VanHooser Avatar
September 6, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Thank you Susan! I'm pleased you liked this poem. It was originally started after losing my wife of 28 years to illness. Writing was my way of dealing with the emotional whirlpool. For a long time I didn't share it, it was completed only recently and I'm so glad it has been well received by my audience. Thank you for your kind words. Ron
Toney Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Hi Ron. Yours is a heartbreaking poem of lost love, especially for the reason that it ended! Love the skillful way you use the weeping willow as a testament. Congratulations on your third place win on Mile 12 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 13 has already started.
VanHooser Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Hi Mark, thank you so much! It was a sad event that was the inspiration for this poem, but we must never give up on love. While this poem was started many years ago, it was only finalized recently, and love has again come into my life. Different? Of course, but no less wonderful. Thank you again. Ron
Godwin Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 10:46 AM
I came here excited for you & you broke my heart. Your BEAUTIFUL poem of lost love is perfect. Odd to be thrilled by a poem of heartbreak, emotions go in 2 directions. All elements, sublime. Weeping Willows have meant a lot to me since 1st grade when we had one in our yard on base. I still miss that tree. Tim planted one for me in VA that I loved watching grow for 3 yrs but had to leave it, we moved. I digress. Just love this. Congrats, Ron - Welcome Home, to Soup CayCay
VanHooser Avatar
August 31, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Oh CayCay, I never want to break your heart, but that is what this poem was about, loss, love, and hope for the future. We must never lose hope, and never give up on love. I'm glad you liked the poem, I know you placed as well but I haven't had the chance to read it yet. Thank you My Friend! Ron
Seeker Avatar
June 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Fabulous!
VanHooser Avatar
June 3, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it! This one was more work than usual, but it seemed to work. It has been entered in the monthly contest on Poetry.com, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again! Ron
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