THE OLD TREE

by Danna Shirley

Writing assignment

She loved the old tree and had sought its shelter as a child. She played tea party under its branches and climbed high as she got higher herself. In summer it’s leaves were full but, in the fall, it was stripped bare and lifeless; just as she felt now, stooped and crying, seeking comfort from under the old tree she loved.

Her life had not gone as she had dreamed while under the old tree; love and laughter, marriage and children. She had chosen, instead, a career, success, and notoriety. Yes, she had become a famous author but at what price?

Her books gripped the interest of the industry, as well as each individual reader. Why couldn’t she write her own life’s story with as much creativity and happy ending as on the pages of her novels. Too busy! Shut away in the tomb of fiction with her computer, always seeking and searching for a new and somehow different setting, characters, or storyline that wouldn’t seem the same as every other novel she’d written.

Age was creeping in now and it pained her to type with arthritic fingers, an aching back from embracing the keyboard, and poor circulation from lack of exercise; all because she was married to her profession.

She reminisced of her childhood and her return home to the old tree for comfort once again. If she’d only made different choices before these twilight years had surprised her. But, alas, you can’t go home again. Age is cruel and time doesn’t stand still.

Yes, there it was, her final novel. Age, time, twilight years, going home again. If she couldn’t relive her life, she would write a happier ending to this one.