Willow by the lake

you are
the willow by the lake
you sing
when it's windy
and cry
when it's rainy.

always leaning
to watch the water
dance at your feet

when birds
and other passers-by
make perch of you
you never ask for something
in return.
instead
you rest with them
and listen to what they have to say
and feel for them
if they're sad.

sometimes
when the water is still
you catch a glimpse of yourself
and remember how pretty you are
when you don't
the bugs and the creatures remind you.

everyone says you're weeping
when you're only standing
as well as you can
for a tree who can feel.