Willow Weep

I have stood on the outside looking in
For as long as I can remember
An observer of all I see
Listened intently, painfully aware
Of your deep rooted sadness and unrealized fears

There on your pillow as you lay your head
Surrounded by tears, never heard
By others as they carried on
Oblivious …

How I longed to hold you close
Protect you with the strength of my limbs
Remove the strain from your fragile and sensitive frame
A shade I provided when you ran out
That fateful afternoon
Slamming doors as you stumbled and finally sat
For hours if not longer
We were quiet that day, you and I …

On a dark night somewhere near the fifth of December
A shot rang out, piercing the silence like an old rusty nail
Muffled cries and then nothing
Suddenly everyone was everywhere
Except in your room
I struggled to find you, to get even a glimpse
I reached ever higher
You were silent for what seemed like winter …

Footsteps scurried in and out
Frantic cries for help flew with the wind's scream
Blue lights and red lights filled the front lawn
Men in blue uniforms ran inside
Shadows in black cars drove slowly and carefully away
Somewhere, a lonely dog howled
The moon turned aside
And I,
The willow, weep by that window
You once called your own …

(01/15/2008)