My fingers brush against the willow

Compared to how things used to be

Under my touch the bark rough

Doesn't seem like enough

Carved deep in the trunk

With a pocket knife

Whose blade's long lost its shine

Sits your initials next to mine

It was you who did the letters

My hands carved the heart

Within which they sit

A fiery love lost, but forever lit

I remember when we marked our love

Our skin was smooth and young

How have I lasted to this day—

Where it is now old and gray?

So many years you've been gone

Now a dawn finally comes

I can free fall back to your love

And jump off the cliff like a dove

What a story of deep tragedy

Now one of Romeo and Juliet

I spread my arms as though to fly

Not in the least afraid to die