In my backyard,
The trees reach up
to touch the sky,
but fall short.
Their branches,
like slender arms, sway.
Dancing to the unknown
time signature
of the wind.

In my backyard,
Ice
once frozen
to the branches,
now melts
falling to the ground
in small teardrops.

In my backyard,
Animals such as deer
frolic among the plants
scavenging.
They create soft noises,
snapping twigs and rustling
through the shrubbery.

In my backyard,
there is an empty spot
where my playground
used to stand.
It rests in a pile
of plastic, wooden planks,
and metal nuts or bolts.

In my backyard,
memories linger.
Spirits of an earlier time.
Spirits of happiness
and the adventurous nature
of my younger self.
These spirits
forever rest here
from me to reflect on
anytime.