When Willows Wept

For my friend Sharon who had cerebral palsy

The willows wept the day I was born.
They knew I might be scorned
for in my life so much had been kept.
except,
they knew nothing of
my strength.
My will.
My courage and love.
So still....the willows wept.

I heard them weep from what others called
a deep dark sleep.
from which I may never emerge.
What a scourge!
For they knew it not that deep inside
I was alive!
My mind thrived.
But on the outside my body was caught.
And those around me could not see,
they thought I slept.
It was for this, that the willows wept.

And as the years crawled and crept,
full of my fears
that no one would see what was deep inside
me, and my tears.
So in willows I hid.
With willows I wept.

Until the holiday dream When entered my life
a machine!
Of thought, hope and lesson.
The gift of communication.
Ending so much strife,
and into a new life I lept.
Yet still the willows...and I wept.

For it was a beginning.
Of learning and knowing.
To teach, and be taught.
Challenges taken,
the expression of thought.
And it was joy that crept
into the tears the willows wept.

So as I danced in their majestic stance
I wondered why the willows still weep?
Then on a breeze, through tears of leaves
I heard the willows whisper...
'till fear and ignorance
are but myth and lore,
only then will the willows weep
no more.

1991

Author's Note

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/sharon-jodock-king-advocate-for-people-with-disabilities-in-washington-and-beyond-dies-at-81/

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

I recited this poem as part of my eulogy for my friend Sharon Jodock-King today at her memorial. I wanted to thank you all who wrote beautiful reviews for her poetry when I set up her profile. And the touching thoughts you sent me as I struggled with her death a few months ago. Thank you!!!

[lightsong]

Oh! It was today... Smile Bill* :>

May She keeps resting in Peace, Love and Light✨🤍✨ You are more than extra amazing faithful friend to Her. She loves You ❤️

[William Michael Reeves]

There was a lot of love today, and in her life. Thanks Ghounwah.

[Patricia Wedel]

A very heart-rendering story that has touched me in a million ways...
I pray for the beautiful woman she has surely become... I weep with the Willow and smile with the Sun... now that she can see the Light that shines so deeply within. Amen.. gently, Pat

[William Michael Reeves]

So happy to touch you. A million ways sounds like a poem's worth! She was an amazing woman with an amazing story that inspired this. Thanks Pat.

Bill

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Bill… I will be looking up your Link soon in the Seattle Times… a very impressive friend you wrote about. She was also fortunate to be your friend as well. tenderly, Pat

[William Michael Reeves]

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/obituaries/sharon-jodock-king-advocate-for-people-with-disabilities-in-washington-and-beyond-dies-at-81/

[Cherrie Palmer]

I love the phrase
the willows whisper...
It's a lonely sound filled with mystery.
And the smooth way you ended it.

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks. My fav line in this is 'on a breeze through tears of leaves'. I read this for Sharon again, I wrote it for her long ago, not that long before she died. I will be ending my eulogy for her with it. I cherished that typewriter and it had a place of honor on my piano for 30 years. I gave it to her sister the day Sharon died. This poem means so much to me right now. So happy you came to it and I can share about it. The Seattle Times did a big article about her last week. I need to see if I can post that somehow. Maybe in these notes?

[William Michael Reeves]

It worked! Now I just have to turn everyone's attention to it somehow.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I can't wait to see their article

[William Michael Reeves]

Ended up in a review. I'll try again in edit mode see if it shows up as notes. I'm a twentieth century man trying to get by in the 21st.

[lightsong]

I will not act like I know and understand what it means to be in your friends' shoes BUT what I can't understand how parents can be unloving to one of their children?! (I hope I didn't get it wrong because this is what I felt in your first verses, being some how unloved by her family before the outside society). glad at least that she got the chance to have her chair and even if it flicker of hope it mattered because it was a rebirth and a new life to begin. The Willow will always cry all kind of tears, and will fee and share all kind of pains with each human. sure enough I can't thank ENOUGH for such a magnificent ending. Thank You Billions for writing and speaking my voice. a powerful, emotive, the repetition of your lines added a most needed tender and moving touch. and another well written piece my friend~

[William Michael Reeves]

I thought the same as I've thought about this poem over the years. Who am I to step into her shoes? But that's what poets do. I was writing about society in general. Her family was no less ignorant than society in the 1940's where disability was concerned. Not anybody's fault really. Says a lot about her determination. The Seattle Times did a great article about her last week. I posted it in the notes here. I'm going to turn attention to it. Powerful stuff. And read my comments with Cherrie if you didn't already.

[lightsong]

"That’s who she was, a teacher." and You dear Bill said it all... when someone reads such an incredible inspiring story would think of her Invincible strength because she didn't live two, ten years... she lived for 81 ones! but she knew her strength is in her soul, that God is on her side, that she had a mission and she MUST fulfill it. I admire her more now after reading the articular, I admire You eve more, for your humility and also fulfilling your purpose. don't underrate yourself. I wish there was a photo for both of You together, it would be nice to meet You dear Bill❤️

[William Michael Reeves]

You touched on so many things there Gounwah. Pictures. I don't know why the site won't show the pics I download. It aays they're there but they don't seem visible. I got a message that you commented on a picture. Are you able to see my profile pic and pictures I've posted with poems? I'm using a phone but have tried a laptop to no success. I can't figure it out and have thought about trying to reach out to the site for help.

Every day I think about how amazing it would be to have a writerscafe convention. In Seattle of course. Hard for me to travel. So many different lives that have so much in common. To just have a conversation with you and Cherrie. To chew on words with Jacob and the Noodle. To mingle and spontaneously write together in person and have comfortable coffee and time to do it. I think about it every day and would love to spend some time with you. Friend me on Facebook if you are there. Bill Reeves in Seattle. I need to explore writerscafe more. I saw you can link to Facebook and I'd be interested in contests and stuff but really just need to read and write with all of you. Even if we never meet I feel I know you. I've heard your powerful voice and can sense your poetic wisdom. Your truth. You've inspired me so much!!!

[lightsong]

all your photos are invisible, I commented on one to tell You that and suggest that You might consider changing the size of the photos because if they are large the site won't allow them to appear. I believe that is the issue with You, try it and let me know how it goes. I have few photos of me here in case You wanted to see the "powerful wise poetic look not the voice only" lol I don't use facebook I simply don't like it (dislike me now ;>). yet a cafe for poets something would be very nice, some poetry sites support a section for chatting between poets. a wonderful idea.

[William Michael Reeves]

I'm glad I came back to this comment. When a pic has appeared it is just the center of it. I'll try that.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

A very powerful poem with such an emotional message of inner strength and hope. I was really moved by the tale this poem wove. Thank you for sharing this work with us.