Provoking the Willow

Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem

We push aside the willow branches, hand

In motion, leaves in motion by the wind

Then by our fingers, palms and wrists.  No grand

Significance results, no meanings twinned.

We push aside the willow, heads as tools.

The breeze already moving through the tree

Needs no assistance.  Heading overrules

The scene.  The limbs and leaves are never free.

We push aside the gracefulness with hearts

Revealing . . . what?  A courtesy? . . . or more

Than that:  the generosity of parts

Of nature there beside a river shore.

  The hand, the mind, the heart require the sweeps

    To yield.  Yes, this is why the willow weeps.

© Phillip Whidden