This Old Mandarin Tree

I celebrate and sing myself as I climb through the tree!
Climb a little higher!
Children’s laughter rings through my ears.
The gorgeous sun beams against my back,
A sensational feeling!
My name is called but I run farther away, determined to make it to the top.

I slide from branch to branch,
Gliding with ease, every movement memorised.
Arm, leg, lift. Left arm, right arm. Pull.
Green leaves, summer breeze, wonderful life!
My small steady hands. Swift and quick!
I reach the tree’s end and gaze at the top of passing strangers’ heads.
The summer sky is luminous for the grey clouds have gone home to rest.
Birds flying, people gathering, and the wind is singing!
It sings a melody so euphonious, my ears are in Heaven!

From the top of this old mandarin tree I am invincible!
I can see everything from here but nothing sees me.
I will never come down!
I rest against a branch and pick a mandarin to eat.
Peel its skin, let its divine flavour fill my insides.
Bliss! Every one of my senses is ignited!
The leaves move in the wind and I close my eyes,
Embracing her gentle hands that push my hair back.
The sky has turned a mesmerising orange!
The sun kisses my nose!
We hold each other tight and find comfort in one another’s company.

This is home. Right here. This feeling is home.
From this soil, these roots, these leaves;
They are me.
I celebrate and sing them!

Some photos of my cousins and I in my Nonno’s garden, besides “the old mandarin tree” 🙂