The Elm Tree Shelley Ayres The elm tree is a sentinel in our back yard. It provides welcomed shade on summer days like this one. A long rope hangs from a branch that seems to be as high as the sky itself. I place the charcoal in the grill and squirt on the lighter fuel.

The Mulberry Tree Shelley Ayres I climb the crooked slats nailed to the trunk of our gnarly old mulberry tree. My safe haven waits patiently for my return. I reach the plank floor of the tree house and swiftly lie on my back. I exhale a smile at the leaves waving at me from their

 The Tree House Shelley Ayres In need of adventure I climb to my tree house. Eyes closed the swaying tree house becomes a pirate’s ship. I ride the rise and fall of waves at sea. The creaking ship’s deck and the dancing branches are not branches at all. They are drunken sailors singing “Yo-ho-ho and

My Garden Shelley Ayres I stumble sleepy eyed, through the door to greet the glorious gift of morning.  I meander through my garden, hugging each blossom with my awakening eyes. I breathe in the sighs of each leaf as they shake off the dew of evening slumber.  I smile as their upward lifted faces stretch