Places

If I could be any place I have Lived it would be back in dear Dar-es-Salaam this is where I left my heart moons ago a simple yet enthralling and lovely place Everything one needs on the doorstep exotic fruits filling the various trees gay birds of multi colour singing so sweetly the sparkling ocean just a hundred yards away Instead I now live still in outstanding beauty my house built in 1918 is sturdy and charming it has served me and my family loyally and well over the years I have turned it into a sheltered haven My garden now a paradise for butterflies and birds three ponds I have built within its serene bounds full not of koi or carp just of sticklebacks and rudd five species of newt now call them home and frogs galore Very private which suits this old hermit so well at the top of my back garden, a shady thirty year old oak it was just a sprig of ten years when I planted it there keeping it company a British Lime and a wonderful walnut All of these I planted over 23 years ago some hazelnuts too a most wondrous Bramley apple tree always so bountiful so much more besides to delight my eyes as I potter around taking pause I reflect on other homes and decide that here Here in this place I have all and more that I could ever want that my life is happy and settled and so much inspiration surrounds me, my grown children close to hand and many friends who I would sadly miss. This place here and now I know and love written 09/15/2013 Contest Know Your Place