Each Life Has Meaning

I chanced upon a willow weeping
In a forest deeply sleeping.
Stopping, I asked of this maiden, “Why for do you tear?”
“Have you been alarmed or frightened, is there something that you fear?”

As darkness closed its arms about us,
Not a murmur broke the deep hush.
Softly weeping willow whispered these words in my ear:
“The reason I am saddened is thus; Why is it that I am here?”

“For years I’ve stood in place not moving,
Striving to grow tall - my soothing,
Until one day I chanced to hear,
The distant call of death grow near.”

“So I ask you little creature, do you know why I exist?”
“What purpose was my life I missed?”
To this question I sat waiting for the dawn to nigh appear,
Then stated, “Willow, look about you now and to your heart let this bring cheer,"

"Mother birds are waking from their nests within your boughs,
We take into our lungs your breath, as much as will allow,
You shelter us from sun and rain and cut the wind's sharp shear,
And at your base a family lives with twins, the spotted deer. "

"Although you may not notice your grace shelters blessed life,
To countless kindred spirits you have helped them in their strife.
Please weep no more my gentle friend about your deepest worth.
You're a wonderous gift we've had, one best of Mother Earth. "


by Rodney Alan Crater
Copyright ©2007 Rodney Alan Crater