Answer:
Here is a descriptive essay using the five senses to paint a picture of a place that has positively influenced me:
The old oak tree has stood silently in the corner of my backyard for as long as I can remember. Its gnarled branches reach up to the sky like arthritic fingers, crafted by decades of sun and storm.
I hear the creak and groan of its thick trunk as the wood expands and contracts with the passing seasons. In summer, the leaves whisper and rustle gently in the warm breeze, while birds chirp and sing their cheerful songs among the branches.
The sight of the oak fills me with peace and calm. Its broad canopy shelters my small patio from the hot sun, dappling the ground with shadows. In autumn, the leaves blaze with fiery shades of crimson and amber, a final vibrant display before drifting down to form a blanket of orange at its base. After the leaves fall, snow-capped branches poke through winter, glistening softly against a sea of white.
There is an earthy scent to the oak, of bark and heartwood and memories. It smells of summer rain and spring rain, of life and growth that never ceases. I breathe deep and am comforted, sensing the deep roots that have grounded this tree for decades.
The old oak's rough, gnarled bark feels familiar under my hands. I often trace my fingers along its length, feeling the ridges and wisdom it has accumulated over the years. Its presence makes my small yard feel like a shelter, and provides a sense of silent companionship as the seasons change.
This place has brought me joy and solace, a steadfast presence in my life, spoken through the sight, scent, sound, feel and steady growth of the old oak tree in my backyard. Its influence on me will remain for many years to come, as deep as its roots in the earth. The old oak is a place of peace and beauty that I have come to know through all my senses.