You are a willow; so thin, so graceful.
A
melancholy elegance kisses your brow.
Your aching beauty leaves a lump in my throat.
Though fragile and pale, you are stronger than any switch.
Assailed by the
tempest, tossed in the
gale,
Your
granite integrity leaves you standing.
My eyes well with love and pain.
You are a willow--
Flourishing with
verdant brilliance
that
plummets to the earth.
Unable to thrust you into glory,
I curl up in your roots and weep.
for gary
october 2000