letter to a willow

dearest willow tree

i've had a change of heart

i can no longer see you

the way i did

the way you were

we both have grown

seasons changed

weep if you will

this is not sad news

this is the autumn of our love

this is transformation

you reminded me of a person

a love still sallow from loss

experiences no longer shared

memories that starve us

we hunger for richer soil

for sunlight to kiss our veins

i see you everywhere

and when i do i long to find

strength and resilience

a reminder to slow down

flexibility in how i reach out

a temperament that sways in the breeze

grace under the weight of it all

dearest willow tree

i see you differently now

you are a teacher

i am your student

our roots have entangled

but our spirits dance apart

unencumbered by memory

green in the spring sun

growing together