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.