Willow

The ice on the willows fell over you

and I felt snow falling all around.

You reached out in silence and brushed my hands

but I could not walk with you beyond the storm.

The frozen forest held mysteries

that have long lain undiscovered.

I know not what you saw or what you were thinking,

but it's clear that it all disappeared.

Oh, no, a crying shadow,

teardrops and snowflakes stream gently down;

I found you under the icy willow

that night when the forest was your grave.

The sleet and the snowflakes fell under you

and at home, I watched the sun go down.

You marched out in wonder at a beautiful hour

while moonlight was shining from over the hills.

The earthy meadow held beautiful skies

and nightly it blessed us with sparkling stars.

I saw your footsteps fade away from the village

when you dashed out to comfort the moon.

Leave me, I'll watch the horizon

until you return from your journey.

But I found you under the icy willow

that night when the forest was your grave.

The lamp in the window watched over you

and I watched the light flicker all around.

I reached out in silence and touched your hand

to awaken you into a glorious morn.

Our sleepy village knew age and youth,

and mothers, sisters, and brothers.

But you had a wild taste for adventure

and a heart that knew no earthly fear.

Go, go, I can see you grow restless

while the red glow of daybreak fades into blue.

Then I found you under the icy willow

that night when the forest was your grave.

The ice on the willows fell over you

and I felt snow falling all around.

You reached out in silence and brushed my hands

but I could not walk with you beyond the storm.

The frozen forest held mysteries

that have long lain undiscovered.

I know not what you saw or what you were thinking,

but it's clear that it all disappeared.

Oh, no, a crying shadow,

teardrops and snowflakes stream gently down;

I found you under the icy willow

that night when the forest was your grave.