Whilst I can only aspire to achieve the poetic visuals Dickens inspires, this excerpt from ‘David Copperfield’ demonstrates perfectly the personification of the mighty elm trees. There is something so magical and intriguing about these wild yet wise old trees. There is strength and patience in elm trees. In the past, they have represented wisdom, exploring a change in perspective and the gateway between life and death. A tree representing life.

My elms

My cousins and I spent our days hanging from the branches of the huge elm trees beside my Grandparent’s house – the same elm trees my dad and his brothers jumped from, and generations of kids before them.  They have withstood the droughts, the floods, the good and bad times. They still stand, strong and tall; my children now, playing at their roots.

I grew alongside these trees and within the colour, movement and smell of of the Australian bush; all things my soul still craves. The burnt sienna of a drought, the vibrance of the king parrots and the sound of the wind caressing the eucalyptus, releasing their heavenly scent on a hot day. I took for granted the orchards, the huge vegetable gardens, and most of all, the quiet of growing up wild. The taste of heirloom tomatoes picked straight from the vine or juicy grapes hanging from rustic trellis. I miss the country life deeply, so there will be many a love letter to it found here.

My grandmother’s wash-house and the meat-store are still nestled under their branches, a copper alongside a modern washing machine, and brown glass bottles stacked neatly against the wall, ready for my Grandfather’s homebrew. He is gone now, through the gateway, but the elms remain, watching over us.

The elm tree will always represent home, standing tall and strong protecting us with it’s branches stretched wide. A symbol of life.