Ilene Madrigal,a poet, writer of short stories, and author of "A Tree of Silence," a book of simple teachings that helps one understand that unconditional love is the tool to complete healing, was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma and spent most of her life near her birthplace. In 2005 she moved to North Carolina and recently relocated to Hertford, NC. Now, along with her life partner, she has chosen to spend her retirement years enjoying the beauty and peace of North Carolina’s gift of nature along the Perquimans River. In 1994, she began traveling to Mall Shows displaying and selling her poetry. At the present time she has written and marketed over 2900 copies of her collection of 260 poems. Since moving to North Carolina, a state ripe with photo opportunities, Ilene has incorporated her writing with her photography allowing the picture to enhance the story.