Two hundred and forty-eight words…

Keith's Ramblings

…for The Unicorn Challenge which is brought to us by Jenne Gray and C.E.Ayr

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domestic-manners.regular

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When I was little I used to hug the tree in my Grandparent’s garden. I called it my friend.  

When I got bigger Grandad hung a swing from a branch. I  knew the tree enjoyed it as much as  I did.     

A few years later I would climb up into the branches. I always felt safe because I knew the tree was looking after me.     

When Granny and Grandad died, Mummy Daddy and I moved into the house. I  knew the tree was pleased.

When I was old enough to have a girlfriend I carved a heart on the trunk with our initials in middle. The tree didn’t mind.

I used to share my secrets with the tree, happy, sad, all of them. 

When I grew up I moved away, but I still felt my tree was looking after me.

Many years later the house and the grounds were bought by a developer. The building was demolished and my tree, felled. I knew it shed tears along with its leaves.

I visited the site soon after and found the place the tree once stood. On the ground, I found some acorns. I took them home and planted them in my garden so that one day another child will have a tree as a friend, as did I.

Often, when I’m alone, I feel my tree is with me. When I’m walking it’s there, beside me. In my dreams we talk, we laugh, we recall all those happy memories.

Just me, and my tree. 

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Photo credit: Jenne’s friend Eunice

36 thoughts on “Two hundred and forty-eight words…”

  5. ladysighs Apr 7, 2023 / 19:55

    The perfect story – minus two words.

    The End. Fixed it for you. 🙂

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  6. lifelessons Apr 7, 2023 / 20:12

    I had a similar experience I wrote about on my blog..I think it is entitled “The Summer Home.” Trees are the hardest non-human, non-animal friends to lose. I lost my most beautiful flowering tree this year.. Heartache. Your poem was very touching.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 8, 2023 / 13:48

      Indeed they are. Losing your tree must be so sad, especially in the season of blossom.

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  7. Doug Jacquier Apr 7, 2023 / 20:14

    A lifetime of memories from a single plant. So glad you’ve never gone off your tree. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. ceayr Apr 7, 2023 / 21:20

    Keith, I’ve just twigged that you’re barking mad!
    Thanks for branching out into our new challenge, old pip, I was rooting for you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 8, 2023 / 14:18

      Leaf it out! Oak-ay, it was a load of balsa-d-ash, but it teak a log time to write!

      Apart from that, the pleasure was mine, sir!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  9. Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris Apr 7, 2023 / 22:19

    I too had a tree, several but one in particular. I’d sit in it for hours and it was also in my grandparents yard in the back-woods of Arkansas. Thank you for the lovely memories Keith. Trees are people too! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Patricia Apr 8, 2023 / 00:06

    Your story has a great ending. Someday another kid will have sweet memories of a tree.

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. jenne49 Apr 8, 2023 / 09:38

    I hear the universe full of sighs of agreement, Keith,
    I suspect everyone has a tree – or equivalent.
    A beautiful, heartwarming story.
    Thank you so much for taking part. I hope you’ll be back.

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  14. The Sicilian Storyteller Apr 8, 2023 / 15:34

    Keith’s version of “The Giving Tree”. There are so many people who hate Shel Silverstein’s story and the little boy in it. Not me. I love that story and I loved that tree. Almost as much as I love this story. 🤎

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Keith's Ramblings Apr 8, 2023 / 16:09

      I’d forgotten about, it and the varying opinions as to itscontent. I’m flattered that you consider my piece worthy of comparison! Thanks so much, Nancy.

      Liked by 1 person

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  16. clark Apr 9, 2023 / 22:38

    What an excellent tale*!

    Trees do have that sense of longevity to few other living things do, and being unmoving, lends itself to being the ideal confidant.

    * for reasons entirely related to how I felt reading your contribution, the term ‘tale’ seems most fitting.

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  17. Dawn Apr 13, 2023 / 11:44

    Wonderful ode to an old friend, nicely done, Keith! 💞💞💞

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