I was sitting by a river,

shaded by a tree.

There I wept, for my lover,

who’d deserted me.

My heart heavy, all seemed hopeless,

tears flowed endlessly.

Like the river that I sat by,

beneath the willow tree.

Then a songbird came enquiring,

head cocked, he looked at me.

And his eyes all bright  and shining

winked and blinked a plea.

“Don’t be sad, don’t sit crying,

life  goes on, you’ll see.

Take a deep breath; leave your sorrow,

come sing along with me.”

We sang a duet by the river,

this is that melody.

A simple tune to heal the heartbreak,

lost love had given me.

As we sang, a warm breeze joined us.

Grass rolled like a sea. Waves of mauve,

seed heavy verdure added harmony.

Then I saw a flash of colour,

dancing distantly.

Like a sail boat on the ocean,

surfing, flying free.

Yes it was the love, I thought lost,

running back to me;

sitting, singing with a songbird,

beneath a Willow tree.

Two lovers running

through the long grass,

arms wide and welcoming.

Hearts bursting with love and laughter

made their voices ring.

Now in quartet, with the bird and wind,

we sang joyfully.

Beneath the willow by the river

and the grassy sea.

David Garlick,  Victoria,  1986

(Note, There is music for this song.)