Willow

This poignant poem is a contemplative exploration of life, time, and change, as represented through a lifelong relationship with a silver willow tree. It begins with the narrator's childhood, set in the "cool nursery of the young century," where tranquility and nature were key influences. The poet's preference for the "voice of the wind" over the "voice of man" suggests an embrace of nature's wisdom and comfort, a theme that continues throughout the poem.

The silver willow, personified as a lifelong companion, stands as a powerful symbol of permanence and constancy amidst the inevitable flow of time. The tree's "weeping branches" not only evoke its species' common name, 'weeping willow', but also metaphorically suggest a reciprocal, almost human-like relationship between the poet and the tree, one that nurtures dreams and counters insomnia.

However, the tone shifts dramatically with the revelation that the poet has outlived the tree. This unexpected twist, a reversal of the natural order where humans outlive trees, is both jarring and sorrowful. Other willows, symbolising the continuity of life, converse "with strange voices," highlighting the poet's sense of alienation and loss. The poem concludes on a somber note: the silent poet, mourning the loss of a 'brother,' thus underscoring the depth of connection between human and nature. The poet's skillful use of personification, symbolism, and thematic contrast results in a deeply moving exploration of life, loss, and the enduring bond between humanity and the natural world.