THE WILLOW TREE The Willow is known as the "tree of love." The willow is a benevolent and mystical tree. From earliest times, its healing and magical properties have been recognized by people around the world . It is known to be both strong and flexible, bending rather than breaking under stress. The sky is blue the wolf runs wild. Some horses do too, and A lot of people Would like also to. Time marches on And things grow old and decay. The wind blows and changes things. But the old willow down on the creek just bends. That old willow is Very old, and it Seems so warm To me. Heck, it must be At least A hundred sixty-three. Things both larger And smaller fall prey To the wind. But that old willow Just sways And takes it all in. So one day After I had lived Three score and A lustrum. I go down and Sit on one of the Old willow's roots. I sit, I think, I look all around. Shucks, I must have pondered An hour or more, When all at once I hear this rustling sound, And a strange voice Says to me, Hey young feller You have looked, You have pondered, And I hate to say, but You look pretty much In a dumbfound. I raise my head And look up Through the boughs And say, It seems so strange To me, you see, That you have weathered So many a storm. And as most men know You, a willow, are not That hard and strong. So answer this question Oh please would you? How do you manage, Under all The adversity? The big old willow It swayed and it shook. Then it trembled And in a low clean, Raspy voice Answered me. I bend to adversity And stand tall when All is well. For when I bend with The winds and flow with The tide, I always survive. I scratched my Head and thought A while. Then I looked up and With a big smile said, Oh thank you old Willow tree For the tenet of life You have given me. (tomWYO, Jan 12, 00) Back To Index