At The Mercy Of The Bees Poem by Paul C. Maybury Jr.

I can tell you why the willows weep
I know this secret of the trees.
They stand there drinking while they sleep,
At the mercy of the bees.

They show their flowers each to each,
for willows male and female are.
Yet mates are always out of reach,
Although they branch out o so far.

Even if they crowd the side
Of streamlet or of pond,
And branch through branch does slip and slide
Like fingers that are fond.

Still they may not new lives start
These clustering hoping trees,
Nor quicken deep the flower's heart
Without the help of these.

That's the secret willows keep
Sad secret of the trees,
That's why they drink until they weep
For mercy of the bees.