The poem, “Crossing Willow Bridge” by Lorna Crozier is about life/death discoveries she is making about her relationship with her aging mother. In my opinion, the title is symbolic of the journey this daughter is making in recognizing both the transient and frail nature of life. She is crossing over from the child who was sheltered and nurtured and moving toward the realm of the nurturer as she realizes the weakness her formerly strong mother is exhibiting. The family pet, is engaged in the literal journey of crossing willow bridge, and yet the enthusiasm he exhibits while formerly appreciated now seems threatening to the weakened state of the mother.