Willow Wisdom

A poetic story, Where I'm taking a rest in the midst of having a toubled day where nothing goes right... then confiding in the old wisdom of a willow tree in a dream.

 

Willow Wisdom

By: Lalli

 

 

It was one of those days when...nothing goes right

When the light from the sun is shadowed by the moon during mid-afternoon by a solar eclipse

No matter how hard I’d try

The only thing I’d find was disappointment

Or upsetting news that would make any day gloom

So I went for a walk to gather my thoughts to cool myself down from feelin’ hot and bothered

Of course I was distracted by my misery and forgot to bring water

A little dehydrated and exhausted

It was time to stop and rest under the willow tree

Time to take a deep breathe and relax with my back against the bark of its trunk

This is when I sunk into the lucid fantasies of my sleep

It was one of those vivid dreams, where all interactions feel like reality

And this…this is when the tree began to speak to me

 

It said “Young man, as you sit on the grass above my veins

I can feel your energy through my roots

So I wanted to ask you, Why are you so weary?”

 

Being that I was lost in the surrealism of this dream

It didn’t feel odd that I was about to have a conversation with a willow tree

 

As I responded by stating, “I appreciate your caring inquisition

But before I share with you my troubles old soul

I hope through the wisdom of your age that you may help me since it’s apparent I’m stuggling this day”

The tree agreed with a calming bristling of its leaves as it waited patiently for me to speak

 

I began telling the tree,

“I’m tired

Tired of fighting the same battle for years

I’m mentally exhausted and I don’t think my eyes can cry anymore tears

My tear ducts are dry

And so is the mile deep well that tapped into the river of my life

In fact I feel like I fell to its bottom

Now I’m starin through it’s darkness to the sky wonderin’ why I’m so tired

Tired of feeling the burn of lactic acid in my muscles

Tired of being over worked and under paid

And I hope that one day someone will unchain me in the name of liberty from being this modern day work slave

Because I’m tired

Tired of my fears causing pain

Tired of the strain from my heart wrenching when it breaks

With my emotions locked behind a cage desensitizing my feelings keeping myself contained

Hidden away

I’m scared of being vulnerable

Afraid to lose control or whatever false sense of it, I thought I had

 

I continued by saying, “Tree I appreciate you asking but what I’m sayin’ is,

I’m exasperated

Jaded from always having to be the strengthened support

I'm drained from bearing the weight as the keystone in the center of the arch

Holding it together or it will all fall apart

And I’m just not sure how much longer I can continue being tired

I just wish there was a better way

I wish I could share this with you staring face to face

But I can’t because I’m weak

Weak without enough strength to stand to my feet

So I’m stretching my hand in the air to you now tree

That you will be able to help me stand strong once more”

 

This is when a serene breeze gently pressed as a finger against my lips to stop talking

As the fingernail of the eclipse disappeared

I then realized that I felt comforted under the cover of its branches

Then a gust of wind blew through parting the leaves like 2 clouds drifting apart in the middle revealing a window to the other side

The tree then asked me if I could see the beauty of what seemed like an enchanted forest lushly green growing up a snow-capped mountain naturally

I answered, “Yes, yes I do and I have to admit my friend it’s absolutely breathe-taking”

I was then asked If I would have enough energy to take a closer look, knowing what is there

I said, “Yes tree, yes I think it would be worth using what little energy I have left”

This is when I realized the enlightening power from the extensive wisdom of the tree as it told me,

“You see my weary friend, before you could not see beyond my shaded fortress

But when the time was right and all the elements synchronized

You were provided a glimpse of what awaits you if you choose to seek it and keep pressing on

If you keep fighting with all your might, then eventually you will get there

As you can see it will not be easy because there’s much distance between here and there

but as you said it would be worth using what little energy you have left

So get up, never give up

You don’t need my help

You just need to have confidence, faith in the natural balance of life

And when you're surrounded by darkness torn in the eerie loneliness of isolation

Remember, that light reflects a rainbow

At the end of the storm.”

 

After the conversation was concluded with the tree

When I came back to reality Opening my eyes, I no longer felt tired

Actually I felt energized and rejuvenated with a new outlook on my life

So upon reflection of the truth I was told

I've got to say, I couldn’t have agreed with that tree any more

 

Reviews

[Bennett Logan]

I can almost hear how this would sound as spoken word, and I enjoyed it. It's a good story, and I appreciate the moral behind it. Truly. So many people get so caught up in a multitude of smaller issues, in the moment, and are effectively unable to step back and take in the bigger picture. Clearly the narrator of this piece has been able to do just that. Overall, it's a good poem and you have a strong narrative voice. Have a good one, sir, and definately keep up the good work.

[TamiViolet]

Lalli, I swear you and I were sharing similar vibes during this moment. By the way, I love Weeping Willow Trees... I'm deviating from the subject aren't I? Perhaps because your depth frightens me... You see all that I can only hope to see. A vision. Inspiration. Introspection. Motivation. You. This is so beautiful in all aspects... so, dear, I must make it mine!!! Mine. Into my library, darling Lalli :-)

Thank you.

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Lalli,

This was a wonderful and inspired write. Great job. There are many technical details that need cleaning up, but that doesn't detract from the beauty of the imagery and the truth of the message. I will write you separately on some of the details.

Wonderful job, my friend,

Rick

[Angelic Darkness]

This is actually a very nice spiritual story, and I say story because
it feels as such. I believe there comes a time in everyones life
that we are shown our true reason, and if we are open, and ready
to recieve, it will be shown, and not anytime sooner. Things and purposes
happen for a reason. Trees can be very spiritual, and I myself know this
by fact. A tree has energy, a soul. Nature is one living, breathing species,
and sometimes we must go out of the box to truly see. This poem is very
enlightening, and thanks for sharing. AD

[Legion]

Sounds like that willow tree and my grandfather use to hang out and b.s. for hours. Cool write. As long as one has breath, never give up.

[Nicole Renee]

I thought this was a really pretty poem and that I know exactly how your character in the story feels. I'm usually the one who my friends talk to about their problems because I'm a good listener, and if they fight with each other sometimes, it can get me mentally tired and stressed. So I thought this was a really good poem!

-Nicole

[Writer CW Kirkland]

I liked this very much, and I can picture you reciting this at a poetry reading. (I watched the video in your profile.) I disagree with Wildfleour...I think this is written in a style of poetry. I noticed that you did not use quotes each time the tree spoke. I felt like you overused the word tired, but I liked when you switched to using the word weak. I would have liked to have seen more variation between tired and weak. Overall, I liked this poem very much, and I appreciate your style of writing. Great job!

[Amanda]

a really wonderful write, Lalli....the conversation was a good concept and it was true to it's form.

we all need to have that kind of conversation with ourselves from time to time...self analysis, looking for where we are, where we are going, what is important in the journey we call life.... the destination isn't always important, but the way we perceive it. though the trials and tribulations can be harrowing at times and it makes us think that we can't go on, there is always a way....to pick ourselves up and continue....

thought provoking as always, Lalli :)

Always,

Amanda

[Wildfleour]

Lalli - It is a very good story, however, if you want to tell it as a poem, you need to style it as such.

[Megan Wylder]

Amazingly beautiful.

I love the way you use the willow tree for wisdom.
It was a great read.

[Vanessa]

Wow.
I mean.... wow.
I really, really liked the ending, the synopsis that the dear williow tree gave to you.
Honest, I wish that I could talk to a tree....

Anyway, you nailed the ending hard with the wise words of a willow. I loved this.

--Vanessa