Phil Hebert

Philippe R Hebert is an 81 year-old poet, writer, and storyteller. He has been published in: Vietnam War Poetry; Spill Words Press; The Stillwater Review; Arts By The People; Poetry Nation, Exit 13 Issue. Mr. Hebert has published “A Begging Bowl,” “A Saffron Robe,” and has just released two more books: Haiku A Shoji Screen and A Marshy Pond. His first book, Elephant Ears and Bamboo Sticks, A Vietnam War Poem, was well-reviewed by the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA).

Willow in the Wind (Poem)

As the light fades

from her eyes

and the cinnamon color of her skin

turns yellow

I think back over the years

and wonder what became of the time.

The volatility has slowly vaporized.

It seems like only yesterday

that we were young

It seems like yesterday

that we existed

only for each other.

Her eyes held only love and admiration

mine held only devotion and adoration for

the young brown girl I held.

She was so petite and delicate

that it seemed a squeeze

would break her.

But 54 years have passed

and I love her all the more.

So tiny, petite, and delicate

but she won’t break

she will bend like the

willow in the wind.

How can I go on

without my lover,

my partner,

my best friend?

Time has lead us

to this fork:

she’ll tread one path

and I will live alone on another.

We will talk as before

but only in my mind.

Go softly my willow in the wind

and I’ll stay here alone.