House of Leaves

 

When I was just a little girl

we lived in a rather simple

cottage in the woods

near a small lake

in Michigan.

There was a lot of

dirt, mud, and weeds . . . 

and lots of

bugs, snakes, and spiders . . . 

but in the autumn

there were leaves -

lots and lots of

beautiful golden, red, orange, and brown 

leaves. 

My favorite time of year,

when I could grab the old rickety rake

and make beautiful piles of leaves

all laid out in little "walls" for my

House of Leaves.

There was always a kitchen, living room, and bedroom

(never-mind the bathroom as I was already outside!)

and then once the "walls" and "doors" were made

I could put all kinds of things in my little

House of Leaves!

An old broken board set upon two tree stumps

that just happened to be abandoned

in the woods behind my house -

the perfect kitchen counter!

And then another (partially rotted) stump

for a chair (or sometimes two)

A corner with more leaves piled up neatly

to make a bed

Another corner became a "couch" with

carefully constructed leaves, old boards, and blankets

and there I played for hours on end

in my little

House of Leaves.