Solace Of The Willows

When I was 6 years old, my mother packed everything and us all up and we went up the street to our new home. We we’re leaving behind a physically & mentally abusive husband and father…
Without his knowledge…
Unfortunately for my mother and her six children, the new landlady refused to allow us in the new apartment, it was either she didn’t realize how many of us there were or she worried about getting in the middle of warring factions.
The new home was on a hill with willow trees in the yard…
I mostly remember those willows that day.. 
I do recall my mother panicking and crying uncontrollably, which seemed to pass from one kid to the next and soon we were all wailing at this house with the beautiful willows that we would never move into…
All six of us were put up by different brothers and sisters of my mothers…
I don’t recall for how long….

Solace Of The Willows

"He flew the coop"
Was what they said
Though I knew
Better
Was we who fled
We who cried
We who hid

I lost a dad
A dad 
I never had
A dad 
Who never cared

I still recall 
The willows
Tall
Weeping 
Weeping for us all

Blowing to the wind
Giving 
Swaying
Whatever comfort 
It can

At the doorstep 
Of our new home
Told 
You’re not welcome
Told 
We must go

Broken
To shattered
Then scattered about
"He flew the coop”
While we all bailed out

Bill MacEachern 
03/24/23