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Life Tree

January 3, 2024 13 Comments

By Anne-Marie Kofoed

“The acorn has a cute hat.” Loving hands push me into dark, moist soil.

“Mommy, a sprout!” My fresh new leaves soak up the sun.

“My tree is taller than me.” Her pride and laughter are like the wind rustling through my leaves.

“I do.” They carve vows of love into my bark.

“Push me higher, Granny.” They tied the rope swing to my sturdiest branch.

“Bury me under the oak.” Every fall my leaves shall cover her grave.

“Rest now, my love. You’ve earned it.” A wrinkled forehead rests against my gnarly bark, tears fall unseen by all but me.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicki Nance says

    January 3, 2024 at 9:55 am

    This little masterpiece is incredibly clever, celebratory, and poignant

    Reply
    • Anne-Marie says

      January 3, 2024 at 2:51 pm

      Thank you, that means a lot to me 🙂 It’s my first time being published here on 101words so I’m super proud of this little story.

      Reply
  2. Laurel MacDonald says

    January 4, 2024 at 12:35 am

    wow this was so lovely, a beautiful little story of how things in life grow together. Congrats!

    Reply
    • Anne-Marie Kofoed says

      January 4, 2024 at 1:34 am

      Thank you so much for the comment?? that really means a lot to me. This deff won’t be the last time I try to have something published out here.

      Reply
  3. Laura Besley says

    January 4, 2024 at 1:07 am

    This is really lovely and it’s so hard to do a ‘life-time’ story in 101 words, but you’ve done it so well!

    Reply
    • Anne-Marie says

      January 4, 2024 at 1:36 am

      Thank you for the comment, means a lot to me. And yeah it was a fun challenge I wanted to do.

      Reply
  4. Hilary says

    January 5, 2024 at 12:38 pm

    Beautifully written x

    Reply
    • Anne-Marie says

      January 5, 2024 at 2:35 pm

      Thank you, happy that you liked it.

      Reply
  5. Anna Northelle says

    January 5, 2024 at 1:36 pm

    this is very precious, and unique. I like the POV of the tree. So tender and vulnerable. Because nature is there, unwavering whilst human life fades so fast… Well done, my friend!

    Reply
    • Anne-Marie says

      January 5, 2024 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you for leaving a comment. I really appreciate that. It was a fun little story to work on and happy that it found a place to live here on this site.

      Reply
  6. Pamela Cartlidge says

    January 7, 2024 at 12:45 pm

    Poetic.

    Reply
    • Anne-Marie says

      January 7, 2024 at 2:48 pm

      Thank you

      Reply
  7. Ramona Taylor says

    January 30, 2024 at 5:03 pm

    In exactly 101 words, you told the circle of life of all creation. Good job!

    Reply

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