Weeping WillowA Poem by wuliheron Tribal wisdom Weeping Willow
Great trees do not grow so easily: Wind, ice, drought, flood, insects, forest fires and disease, Rage, over the years taking their toll! Yet the tallest and straightest of trees! Make for the very best lumber and thus! They're cut down for timber before others! Their own success becoming their downfall! The hickory tree, has the strongest of woods! So strong it will dull saw blades, So gnarly, contorted, and twisted, They are very seldom ever harvested. Yet during times of drought the roots will weaken, Until the first storm can easily blow it right over! Its own great strength possesses an Achilles heal! In contrast, the willow is neither tall nor strong, Neither good for lumber nor hard to chop down, Often preferring to remain modest and flexible. With, among the deepest of nature's tap roots, They can endure, the longest of dry droughts! Hunched over they only appear to be beaten, Flexible above ground it can survive winds, Deeply rooted, they’re all steady as a rock. Pumping water, it can survive forest fires, Yet so useless it isn't even good for shade. But still stands strong, when others fall! Survives in some extreme environments, That would kill almost any other trees! The species called the weeping willow, Is known, for abiding hardships well. The things I have already mentioned, Plus a few more, I have yet to get to! Including, other trees crowding it out, Branches wailing away, in high winds, Shading it out from the light of the sun, Strangling its roots in the ground below! Crowding out all hope of spreading roots! Causing the tree, to be rare in comparison! It being so useless they are seldom planted! Often, only being planted as an ornamental! Being modest they never thrive many places, Yet may thrive holding river banks together! Some, leaning out over the fast raging rivers, Regularly flooded by ferocious spring storms! Tap roots stopping them from washing away, Even if the ground, vanishes from under them. Prevent any drought from killing them all off! Flexible above, all the debris doesn't kill them, They can take a licking and just keep on going! Their branches may break and keep on growing, Logs can roll right over them without stopping! Never bothering to waste time, holding grudges, Never seeing the use in being angry and spiteful! Aware the other trees will all end up down river, Despite the way, they all may abuse her at times; She pumps up water, to share with them anyway. Long leaves showering them in their hour of need, Providing them all with greatly appreciated relief. No matter how mean, they might have been to her! When desperately in need, of what water she offers, Whenever the long summer droughts, hit them hard! Displaying sympathy for their unavoidable demises. Comforting them, aware there's little else she can do, Comforting them, long after the strong spring storms! Toddlers fight, kiss boo boos, display charming humor. Sitting in a little warm water, can also do the trick, Swaddling, cuddling, and singing also work often! Sometimes just being there and holding someone, Simple things can often make a big difference! As much as anything else, our gestures matter, Sometimes small gestures can make a difference! Sometimes a gesture, makes a world of difference. Because, we're all kids at heart, and kids are great! Some kids even grow up to become the mighty oaks! Others grow up, to become the strongest of hickories! Remembering who it was, that gave them all the love; Remembering what it means to be forgiven themselves! Remembering how much, they appreciated the kindness! Who it is they have come to admire the most themselves! That some unconditionally bestow, their love upon us all! Who it is that seems to be the wiser among all of the trees, Who it is that seems to be the most content of all the trees! Never forgetting for a moment what it means to be abused! Nonetheless willows firmly refuse to ever hold any grudges! Never, forgetting any of her suffering, at the hands of others! Yet never allowing resentment, hate, and anger to define her! Weeping willows, are often generous, tolerant, and forgiving! But their flexibility remains firmly rooted in the greater truth! © 2018 wuliheronFeatured Review
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1 Review  Last Updated on November 28, 2018 Author
wuliheronAboutI'm a brain damaged, mentally deranged, hippie dippy raised on Gilligan's Island and Green Acres, but I'm never going back there again! Currently, I'm 11 years into writing a book on Collective Ignora.. more..Writing
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