Leaves and Redundancy

I wrote this at work today whilst i should have been trying to save my job.

Staring out of the window I can see leaves buffeting in the uncharacteristic blasts of mid summer wind. They cling firmly to their branches for now but in less than a month their luscious chlorophyll pigmented greens will burnish and crisp, giving way to shades of gold and amber. The very body from which they were sprouted will cast them adrift into the Autumnal squalls. Twisting and turning, flaking and fracturing, dried and aged by the now retreating sun they will fall. Finally being littered carelessly on the ground like wrapping paper at Christmas after the presents have been dispensed with. Once so full of life and splendour, now they retain only a fraction of their beauty, the dark sickly kind marred by the sadness that accompanies death and decomposition. Even the thrilling journey through the air fails to enliven these redundant husks, a child’s attempt to re-launch them with an enthusiastic kick and a giggle results in them descending helplessly back towards their final resting place. It’s hopeless, their fate is determined as it has been for so many seasons before and will be for many seasons to come, here they will lay until they mulch and get trodden back into the earth.

This makes the leaves outside my window all the more impressive. They must be aware of their destiny hard coded into their DNA, lying in wait traitorously within their very cells to sacrifice them for the survival of the tree. Why, then, do they grasp so hard, remain so steadfast in their intentions and duties and delay the inevitable conclusion? Can they trick themselves into thinking it might be different for them? Do they banish the final steps of the cycle from their mind or is it possible that the experience of being alive no matter how flitting is enough to render the threat of finality redundant? Who’s to say it is finality? I’ll be in the same place next year staring out of the window at leaves again… or will I?

This isn't really anything to do with Official Secrets Act although the song does seem quite appropriate and i originally listened to this in the spring when the blossom was falling. I should have written about the album 'Understanding Electricity' then but i didn't so instead of an accurate review of how it sounds you'll have to take my word for it and just buy the CD.

Official Secrets Act - Do Not Be Alarmed

Related Posts:
The Rakes, Sky Larkin and Official Secrets Act (Live)