Under the branches of waning summer willow,

The lovers' canoe rocks and sways;

Memoirs of sweet adventures lived long ago.

A secret place, where no wind would blow,

The future bridegroom would gather bouquets

Under the branches of waning summer willow.

Grandpa's old boat on which they would row

Floating away through those golden days

Memoirs of sweet adventures lived long ago.

They waited together for the noon rainbow

Painted by the rapids' gentle sprays

Under the branches of waning summer willow.

And while the silvery water would flow,

They talked over what the clouds could portray;

Memoirs of sweet adventures lived long ago.

Fantasies dancing in their heads of tomorrow,

When nothing seemed better than the other's gaze;

Under the branches of waning summer willow,

Memoirs of sweet adventures lived long ago.

• • • • •

• Date written: May 5, 2017 • Word Count: 129 • Line Count: 19 • Stanza Count: 6 •

[This is a Villanelle poem]