There was a happy, blooming lilac bush that grew in the front yard of the first house I lived in. The lilac bush stood tall in front of the house next to the driveway and next to the free flowing ditch, in which I spent many Summer days splashing myself and my siblings. The cool water caressed my skin and while cooling me off, was feeding my happy lilac bush. Six weeks of the year, the lilacs blossomed and filled the air with their sweet fragrance like sugar in the air. I used to rush toward them and pick some of the flowers, inhaling their fragrance like it was the only thing worth smelling and feeling the velvet caress of the flowers against my face. The beautiful purple hues danced with the wind as the wind played its springtime harmonies among the leaves and the blossoms.
There was a hiding hole within the arms of the lilac bush that protected me from being the first one caught in hide-n-seek because the full leaves and flowers blocked me from view; however, after a while, everyone caught on and knew that I was hiding within the safe confines of my favorite lilac bush. Sooner than later, I had to find a new place to hide. Though, occasionally, I returned to my friend and her loving embrace.
Within the branches, I was the discoverer of a new world. The insects I saw climbing the branches and crawling along the ground were the inhabitants and I was a giant that came to keep watch over them. The red ants marched along the branches and leaves, cutting off small pieces of leaves with their pincers and carrying their heavy load down to their queen and to the hive. The shiny black and red ladybug spread its wings and flew from my grasp as I tried to watch it climb all over my hand. The birds became angels that danced from branch to branch singing their hymns of praise and thanks. The robins with their red breasts waltzed through the air and the branches occasionally stopping on the Earth to pull a worm from the Earth's embrace. They were beautiful creatures that were lucky enough to be able to inhabit the world within my world.
Within the branches of my friend, I felt safe and didn't have a care in the world. I sat in the middle of her branches and daydreamed. I mingled with her leaves and looked out at the clouds floating high above me creating shapes and creatures of cotton. I talked with her blossoms and sang with the wind when it broke through her shelter; the gusts of wind whispered its notes in my ear.
I miss my old friend. I wonder if she is still standing tall in front of my old house or if she was cut down to make way for widening sidewalks or roads. I wonder if nature took her back through erosion and decay. Deep down, though, I hope that she is still standing. I hope that she is giving some new adventurer or observer the protection she once gave me. I hope that her fragrance still fills the air and her blossoms still give color to the spring. I hope that some young one has found solace withing her embrace, within her branches.
There was a hiding hole within the arms of the lilac bush that protected me from being the first one caught in hide-n-seek because the full leaves and flowers blocked me from view; however, after a while, everyone caught on and knew that I was hiding within the safe confines of my favorite lilac bush. Sooner than later, I had to find a new place to hide. Though, occasionally, I returned to my friend and her loving embrace.
Within the branches, I was the discoverer of a new world. The insects I saw climbing the branches and crawling along the ground were the inhabitants and I was a giant that came to keep watch over them. The red ants marched along the branches and leaves, cutting off small pieces of leaves with their pincers and carrying their heavy load down to their queen and to the hive. The shiny black and red ladybug spread its wings and flew from my grasp as I tried to watch it climb all over my hand. The birds became angels that danced from branch to branch singing their hymns of praise and thanks. The robins with their red breasts waltzed through the air and the branches occasionally stopping on the Earth to pull a worm from the Earth's embrace. They were beautiful creatures that were lucky enough to be able to inhabit the world within my world.
Within the branches of my friend, I felt safe and didn't have a care in the world. I sat in the middle of her branches and daydreamed. I mingled with her leaves and looked out at the clouds floating high above me creating shapes and creatures of cotton. I talked with her blossoms and sang with the wind when it broke through her shelter; the gusts of wind whispered its notes in my ear.
I miss my old friend. I wonder if she is still standing tall in front of my old house or if she was cut down to make way for widening sidewalks or roads. I wonder if nature took her back through erosion and decay. Deep down, though, I hope that she is still standing. I hope that she is giving some new adventurer or observer the protection she once gave me. I hope that her fragrance still fills the air and her blossoms still give color to the spring. I hope that some young one has found solace withing her embrace, within her branches.
I found Solace in that bush's secret place too Mics! I loved that bush too! But today I want you to know I love that little boy who hid in it! I love YOU!! And the great man you have become! Love, Kirsti
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