What the Leaf Knew: From an Inner Nature Writing™ Prompt
She watched as the copper leaf spun its way down to Earth, and suddenly it was clear: letting go is not a loss. As the flame-shaped parchment landed on a bed of its damp and decaying kin, her bones recognized surrender’s rightful place in nature’s spinning seasons.
There was no resistance in the leaf as it met the others. It did not mourn the way its skin was now dry and wrinkled, nor did it fear becoming completely unrecognizable soon. No. Somehow, beyond our human understanding of what it means to know, the leaf knew that nothing would be lost when it turned to humus – and beyond that, that if it did not surrender this way, other leaves would never know life.
So, too, her ancient self remembered, that if she did not surrender old parts of who she was, the other women she was meant to become would not be birthed into her body. They would never know life through her. The fear she held in her body became palpable, and she felt the way it stole the air from the versions of herself that were waiting.
Her belly melted and soul whispered: “No more.” She raised her gaze to meet the canopy of gold that crowned the birch, then whispered:
“Take it all. Take all that stands in the way of my becoming. Addictions. Fears of being truly seen, of judging eyes, of losing it all. Fears of losing my mind. Yes. Let my mind be lost so that higher versions of it may be born.
Free me of my doubts about what might live on the other side of the familiar. Let me let go the way you do – not forcing or fighting but quietly trusting whatever is next to be birthed.”
The wind rustled but her inner world fell into a great silence. There was nothing to chase or fix or even try to become. Becoming would be as natural as the unbecoming. For now, presence. For now, the whisper of wind in crisping leaves. For now, the peace of knowing nothing is lost.
G.F.S.
The writing above was born from a writing prompt I offered during a live group call for our Inner Nature Writing™ Facilitator Course. The prompt was to begin with: “She watched as the copper leaf spun its way to Earth, and suddenly it was clear:”
Learn more about our Inner Nature Writing™ Facilitator Course – or join our upcoming INW workshop, Autumn Alchemy.
