~*As The Willow Bends*~
by Mysteria

I left to get the ribbon
you wanted for your hair,
but in the blink of someone else’s eye,
soon you were gone, taken.
Where there any words left unsaid?
We were set adrift on a silent sea of sorrow.
There was nowhere to anchor my friend.

For days, just the two of us cuddled close,
contently sailing, and just waiting.
We joked about you teaching me to dance,
and how you were the wind beneath my wings.
Willow, you were always my hero, always.
You pushed me to be the best I could be.
So we just laughed, loved, sang, reminisced,
enjoying an outcry of love from young dancers,
friends, and people wanting to kiss you.
So hard was it to say goodbye to you Willow.

Suddenly, you softly whispered, “hold me”.
I climbed up beside you like I used to do
and as I gently held you in my arms,
a few threads of your red hair twisted in my hand.
I held them like the spool of love we shared,
for so many years, that sewed our hearts together.
You smiled, as you held my hand and ever so slowly,
you shut your eyes Jenna, and just seemed to be sleeping.
I tried to gently wake you but knew,
as your hand began to chill in mine,
I had lost my blue ribbon ballerina.
Now, even in death, your scent was of freesia,
and I had to breathe you in one last time.

I tied that blue ribbon in your hair,
just as the ribbons that adorned you for years,
as you danced, oh Jenna, how you danced.
The wind welcomed you with awaited appetite.
You twirled like a cat chasing a string,
who couldn’t follow fast enough.
There were always a dozen or so young,
little ballerinas watching in awe,
spellbound and waiting to someday be a Willow too.

Then they came, and ever so gently,
pryied the spool of your silken hair from my hands,
untying a pact of love made 34 years ago,
that we would be friends forever and ever.
My Jenna, my friend, no longer of this plain.
I was begging to come along with you as
the wind tugged at my heart and hands.
I let go Jenna, I want you to know I cried,
But I kept my promise and I let go.

I sat there in the emptiness,
looking outside at the clouds that
had always joined us in adventures.
You wanted to die on a sunny day and it was.
I went outside with a small piece of the ribbon.
I threw it up in the air, and through tears,
said a prayer for your safe journey.
It seems to sail on the sky forever,
but somehow it slowly drifted back to me,
Landing in a pirouette next to my heart.
It danced Jenna, it took flight and danced!!

I stood there simply whispering your name,
I will now forever see you in the willow trees
that sway and dance in all seasons.
I felt the wind and earth agree with my thoughts.
The azure ocean will wet her lips tonight
on the tears of the moon,
While a tiara of stars, and a cape of ebony
sky shall dance while adorning you.
Tonight the earth for one second will stand still
out of respect for the love of a dancer,
who will always and forever more be loved.

And on the horizon I see your journey begin,
As gracefully as the willow bends.
Enjoy the journey my friend, and dance!

     


~*~ In loving memory of my best friend ~*~
~* Jenna (Willow)*~
mother, wife, mentor, teacher, friend

~*July 14, 1945 – July 10, 2001*~

Thank you to Martha Cowan for giving me use of her graphics and as we do not know the artist, please accept my apology for not giving the credit that is due to these wonderful works of art.

If anyone does know the artist, please let me know, thank you.
music ~ www.angelfire.com  - The Prayer

© Mysteria 2001.