Poems (White)/Weeping Willow

by Jeannie Copes White

WEEPING WILLOW

The light willow weeping
 Like some maiden in tears,
Thus tenderly keeping
 A heart beating with fears.

So gently she stands,
 So slenderly tall,
Well dressed by deft hands,—
 Her debut at ball.

All garbed in soft drapery
 Of gown, softest silk;
All flowing in tapery,—
 Her flesh, whitest milk.

Soft hair in lightest coil
 On nape of fair neck,
Clinging curls that so foil
 The brush cannot check.

Then covering it all,
 Light, graceful to curve,
A long fringed, silk shawl,
 Her flesh to preserve.

This fragile young maiden,
 Of delicate mould,
In youth heavy ladened
 With favors untold.

All grace and all beauty,
 You're ready to start,
For world's care and duty
 You'll take your sweet part.