It is a willow when summer is over,

a willow by the river

a willow by the river
a willow by the river
from which no leaf has fallen nor
from which no leaf has fallen nor
bitten by the sun
bitten by the sun
turned orange or crimson.
turned orange or crimson.
The leaves cling and grow paler,
The leaves cling and grow paler,
swing and grow paler
swing and grow paler
over the swirling waters of the river
over the swirling waters of the river
as if loath to let go,
as if loath to let go,
they are so cool, so drunk with
they are so cool, so drunk with
the swirl of the wind and of the river—
the swirl of the wind and of the river—
oblivious to winter,
oblivious to winter,
the last to let go and fall
the last to let go and fall
into the water and on the ground. (William Carlos Williams, public domain)
into the water and on the ground. (William Carlos Williams, public domain)

3 responses to “It is a willow when summer is over,”

  1. Watching the amazing clouds and light here during the past two days, I think of you. Finally I am catching up with your posts. This one shows so well the rewards of watching and waiting. Sigh…..

    Thanks, Tom.

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