THE WEEPING WILLOW

She sheds her leaves like tears as the autumn of the year arrives. She knows that the time is short and the children will be returning inside once more. She remembers the spring of the year when her new shoots of leaves grew thick in abundance and the children first came out in the afternoon sun frolicking among her branches. She then remembers the summer of the year and how the children played in the secret place of her sheltering arms. They would also swing from her many branches as she rocked them back and forth. How sad that winter will soon be upon her and the children will only come out on a seldom sunny day. Her branches will be locked in ice and will no longer be a welcoming place for the children. She prepares herself for those lonely cold days ahead. And yet, she dreams of spring.