Welig for Paul (marandina)

                                    It is said 

                      that a willow's branches bend

        from harps hung from them, when it was a refuge

for the lost. Now it is the river that wears a garland of withy,

leaves rain, and are gathered in the flow, a soft grief that is not

quite sorrow. But then, it is a tree that trembles with water magic,

by chamomile and eyebright, by moonlight, and I wonder

if the willow wishes it was not so pliant,                        sanctuary 

 sallow                        I ask it,                    sprigs              of salix 

  secrets                   it whispers -                 of                       and 

  wept                      did you                            exile               lyre

 yes                       listen?                                 no             Belili 

                           and                                                            or

                      are you                                                      Babylon

                   different                                                              hush

                      now? 
 

 
Welig and withy (Germanic roots) are Old English names for willow. 

Image is from here: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monet_-_weeping-willow-2-1919.jpg