Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver

Today I discovered how far behind in replying to comments I am. I feel badly that I missed so many great replies to my posts. Adam Fenner wrote this incredible review of a poem nominated for a Pushcart by the editor of Rough-Cut Elegies: An Anthology of Missouri Poets. As far as I know, the poem wasn’t selected. However, this review makes me feel like a winner. Thank you greatly, Adam!

Follow this link to his blog.

Barbara Leonhard
There is a willow grows aslant a brook…
~Shakespeare, Hamlet
When the old willow weeps,

Ophelia – Review

Here are the opening lines of his review, but his post has much more to appreciate!

In the poem Ophelia, the poet uses the image of the willow tree to explore themes of grief, healing, and renewal. Drawing inspiration from the tragic Ophelia of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, who drowns after falling from a willow tree, the poet shifts the focus from death to the cycles of mourning and recovery. The willow, traditionally associated with sorrow, becomes a symbol of resilience and solace, suggesting that grief and healing are intertwined in the natural world.

The willow tree is central to the poem, and it is presented as both a figure of sorrow and strength. Early lines describe the willow as “weeping,” with its “shoulders bending to the sun,” and its “ancient songs” resonating in tune with us. These “songs” are not just noises, but rhythms that echo human grief, indicating that nature is not just a backdrop to human emotion but an active participant. …….

This post has my poem and the backstory on how I wrote it.

I received a 2025 Pushcart Nomination for “Ophelia”!

Rough-Cut Elegies: An Anthology of Missouri Poets