Upon his visitation of Frida Kahlo’s Month in Paris art exhibit in Chicago, Milo Warrior had one motive in his mind: to create. Inspired by the Poetry Foundation and the poetic works of Russian poet Anna Akmatova, he began work on Willow, a choral piece inspired by the natural forces present in his life.

 

The text of this work tells a story in three parts, remembrance, celebration, and rebirth. The tree, being the focal point in this work, serves as a symbol, a sort of motherly presence that follows humanity through life, catering towards wonder and beauty that is so often lost on us. Nature is a force in the modern world that is so frequently taken for granted, and the diminishing state of our natural environment indicates a future that may be without such giants. Warrior hopes that in the performance and listening of the piece, one may feel inspired to look at the world through another lens.

 

For there is only one earth, and we must treat it with kindness.