The Willow Guard

Beneath a willow weeps a girl,

All hidden by green fronds that furl

And stretch and wave and fondly curl

Upon the stream.

The tree's her oyster; she the pearl

Cannot be seen.

Amongst the water, leaves and birds

She whispers woe and wistful words.

Between gasped breath she steely girds

A crumpled heart.

Swift flowing love she stops and curbs

Now he must part.

For mud and trench her boy must leave;

To march in mires and manly heave

The bayonets that stab and cleave

A gaping gash.

Grass fields will bleed a sticky weave

of blood and ash.

If this first war takes love away,

Inside the Willow she will stay;

Amidst the branches she will sway

Until she dies.

Unless all leading men cease play

With losing lies.

Beneath the willow pearls are lost;

The green fronds hang with hoary frost.

The weeping tree and girl are tossed

By winter winds.

A battle ground by ice is glossed;

And no one wins.