The sweet scent of nature overshadows
the rough bark and smooth leaves of the trees,
the wind dancing with them as they glide gracefully among the dirt,
whispering lost stories to each other that were passed on to them from the great ancient one.
The trees, some tall some little, all gathering together as one family
These long, brown, and old beings resting
and providing homes and protecting the many animals living in them.
The trees give us all something – a box, a chair, even a house
but never ask anything back.

By Meera, 5th grade
[photo by cjewing2 via flickr]