Cedar planks leaning and coming loose at the ground- they once must have been painted a glowing white that the April sun reflected on. The picket fence now had a duller white peeling off from its surface.
The dark loamy soil on which the fence stood was the perfect bed for life to take different forms. Red, orange and yellow dahlias were in full bloom. White tulips with a hint of flaming red were scattered like speckled bulbs. Delicately lilting cosmea plants carried subtle lavender flowers that could have been mistaken for tiny pixies. Blue clusters that were hydrangeas huddled together close to the fence, and the yellow butterflies hovering above them perfectly complemented their colour. Fancy spikes of pink blush adorned the delphiniums who savoured the perfect April summer. Roses of several hues, bell-like foxgloves grew in the remaining space. There were even some gorgeously spotted toadstools under the damp shade of the bushes.
Thick ivy twirled around the frail planks- a deep traditional green against the fading white. Some of the ivy found its way to the nearest window of the house that stood behind the picket fence, sprawling over the walls. Two little kids would sit at the window of the room and play with their toys. Sometimes they would come out to chase butterflies or get a closer look at the wildly chattering birds who had made the picket fence their home. After school they would also try to hang on to the fence and swing. It would groan at the ground but never give way.
Many times, the kids’ grandparents whose house it was discussed getting the fence changed to a new and stronger one, those sturdy metal ones, perhaps. They would come outside, examine the peeling paint, the fragile hinges and then stop to gaze speechlessly at the thriving life around this old picket fence. Then they would go back in, changing their mind.
Time flew by- the house got renovated and there was fresh paint, shiny grills on the windows, polish on the oak doors with gleaming brass knobs, even the cobbled path was cleaned and the weeds were uprooted- everything looked brand new and breathtaking.
But the old picket fence that still stood tall, just leaning a bit more, was the most beautiful of all.
The entire month of April, I am blogging from A2Z powered by #BlogchatterA2Z
The Literary Affair 
I have a thing for picket fences, Leha. I don’t know from where I picked it up. But we had picket fences installed in our previous home in Pithoragarh. Ah, this post reminded me of those beautiful times!
P.S: I’m glad that they didn’t remove the picket fence and the thriving life that grows along the fence. 🙂
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Oh wow, glad you went back in time. Thanks Shalini. There is something endearing about picket fences.
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The description of the picket fence painted a picture in my mind. Beautiful!
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Thanks for reading 😊
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I’m so glad I read this today The way you have described the blossoms and the vegetation around, is mesmerizing. The picket fence, was the icing on the cake and how it leaned a little but still glistened in the sunshine supporting the blooms, took my heart away!
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Thank you so much. Nature always has a way 🙂
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Ah, the picket fence, sadly not seen much anymore.
Your words painted such a brilliant picture
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Great beginning with poetic description. It also beings out the contrast of the picket fence to set the tone for what to follow.
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Glad you liked it.
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I loved how you described the picket fence. Beautiful!
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Thanks Purba
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Love love love – I wouldn’t even dream of pulling down such a gorgeous array of flowers and colours!
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Me too. Could never think of it. Thanks Suchita!
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Some things are truly irreplaceable and I am glad the gorgeous fence stayed.
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True Mayuri.
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I loved the emotion for the wall in this post, I too would have saved it at all costs.
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Thank you Roma. Some things are best left that way:)
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rather fence 🙂
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What a beautiful description of nature and it’s wonderful collection of flowers. I love picket fences. They look so cosy and home grown..
http://www.deepties.blogspot.com
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Cozy and home grown, such a warm feeling.
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Sooo beautiful Leha, you painted those flowers!
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Thank you Anjalie:)
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I connected so well with the beautiful imagery that you painted with your words. Loved it.
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Glad you felt it Chinmayee
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Reading your post, I could almost see through it.
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