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Sunday, August 17, 2008

The trees in his yard looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. Gnarled branches that were bent and twisted in odd and different shapes. Bushes that he had sculpted into triangles and squares and round concoctions. I always walked to school and went past his house every morning. Sometimes on grey and foggy mornings I imagined I was in the forest. And my heart beat faster at what imaginary thing I might met in his yard. I slipped in and out of the trees and bushes with ease, always aware I could get caught and get scolded. But I had to do it anyhow..

I was fascinated with his yard because of the uniqueness of it . There was a nest of rabbits in the hollow stump of an old oak tree by his shed. It was covered with moss and I could see the Momma bunny running back and forth in the yard looking for food. Then one day I saw the baby bunnies come out. They hopped across the lawn with new feet and wondering eyes.

I was enchanted. I never got close to them because I didn't want to scare them. But everyday I would catch small glimpses of them on the lawn trying to find their way in the world.



The old man's house was clad in brown shingles. And sometimes I saw him peak out from behind the threadbare curtain that hung listlessly at his window.

I had heard his wife had passed many years before and after that he had become a recluse. I often wondered if he had children..If he had friends..
But I never found out. We moved after my 4Th grade year and I never walked that way again. But I did drive by there the other day.

His beautiful bushes were gone.. The trees cut down. But the stump was still there. And I think I saw a Momma rabbit hopping across the lawn.

~Nita~

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

sounds like a piece of fairy tale :)

hopefully you are well Nita <3

Delila

Nita Jo said...

Love that little piece of life. I wrote a similar story about an elderly woman I used to live near. She had beautiful flowers and a cuckoo clock that chimed the hour. I often wonder what happened to her. I should drive by the house one of these days and see if it is still there.

Lovely story!
Nita Jo

Donna said...

Great writing Nita!! I was there in the bushes With you!!lolol.....Happy night sweetie!!hughughugs

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

delila: good to hear from you dear friend..i am not myself these days. still looking for my place in the world now that john is gone.
i wander aimlessly many days..i hope i get stronger as days go by.
by the way it was a fairy place..love nita

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Nita Jo: I am glad you liked it..I have not read your post on the elderly woman but will try to.
fondly, nita

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Donna: Thank you..I hope you are doing good. I think of you everyday.
xoxo Nita

Robin said...

wow Nita! Such a way with words! I really love the way you told this! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments. Your friendship means a lot to me!
If we went thrifting together we'd probably both go for the same things!

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Robin, you are right,we probably would pick out the same stuff! I like all the stuff you pick out while thrifting.
And thank you for the compliment on my writing. Love Nita

Joni said...

what a sweet childhood memory to share ~

Annette said...

I thought you where writting another short storey, I loved it how you captured everything in it.
Love ya and think about often...
HUG'S Annette

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Joni: Thank you..It was a good memory. xoxo Nita

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Annette: You always make me feel good..That was an actual place though. The old man always had the neatest yard. I never saw him outside though. He must have worked in his yard in the evenings.
xoxo Nita

kimberly said...

i love the way you write, nita....the words used to describe everyday things and make them come alive.....and paint a picture that we can enter and spend time in.....
you have a special gift.....maybe you need to send some of your stories to publications.....you never know dear friend....what is in store with that gift.
hugs,
kimberly

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Poignantly written

Anonymous said...

You have a way of making everyday life feel magical Nita! I could feel myself hold my breath thinking about getting caught. Pure magic!

Kissing of the Frogs said...

Beautiful Nita, love your detail.
Hugs,
Rose

Sandi McBride said...

What a perfectly executed essay...really lovely.
Sandi

Mimi said...

Nita,
I posted a comment the first of the week...but I guess it didn't take...
love this story...
as a matter of fact I love all of your stories...

Anonymous said...

Your lovely prose is filled with magical, fantasy and beautiful word images that fill our senses.

Your story keeps not only his yard, but his memory continual.

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I love beauty, whether it is in nature, literature or art. And I love music... My day feels incomplete if I haven't had a chance to listen to some good music.. I also love beautiful souls, and kind hearts.

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