Royal Oaks

Redwood

Moist mossy floors
sprinkled with soft white mushrooms
and gentle green ferns
A small stream flows by with trout
swimming to the ocean

Slough

Salt stained water
lined with pickleweed and old algae where
tiny green crabs can hide from hungry birds

Meadow

Fresh green grass damp with morning dew
A hawk glides lazily over a quiet pond
filled with water lilies and speckled frogs.

I climb the redwood tree next to the stream.
I catch the green crabs hiding under the pickleweed.
I lie on the grass next to the pond listening to frogs sing to the twilight.

This is where I live.

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Lauren Anderson, Age 13
Linscott Charter School
Watsonville, California
Teachers: Robin Higbee/Linda Cover