The Undiscovered Country

[michaelboy]

In autumn, while most leaves fall through the process of abscission, several species of trees seem to hold on just a bit longer. Notably, the pin oak refuses to let go until spring and the American beech will often preserve a few sparse low-hanging branches of ghost-white leaves and hold a small number throughout winter as if they, like us, resist shedding parts of themselves which no longer serve them. 



This process is marcescence and eventually, in the spring, they will finally set the leaves free.

No matter how many times I’ve heard the cries of profound grief, it still is never easy. It reminds me of how many times we all have to let go. Somehow, there is goodness in this – surely an appreciation of how fragile life can be.

When I was young, I was so afraid to say goodbye and while age and experience has somewhat tempered this fear, we all have an undiscovered place and inevitably, all leaves fall. Letting go is sometimes loving more - somewhat like trees do.

But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovered country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have,
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all

- William Shakespeare, From: "Hamlet" Act 3, Scene 1

Comments

[serafaery]

:) I like the wispy pale leaves. I would hold onto them a bit too long, too.