The Reincarnation of a Thousand Leaves
1898
Autumn unfurled the faintly browning trees around me as I curl open. The leaves surrounding me shake in the breeze and back, as the golden sun beamed out of the clouds upon me. Condensed water droplets splash on the green arrowed head of mine; I was translucent as the finest paper. Below me were brown crispy leaves that laid there and waited to be reincarnated. The sound of the leaves rustling was heard each minute as a light breeze hit. Right next to the branch I’m on, sits a little bird, in a bold cap of white feathers and a tiny orange beak. The chorus of birds tweet as rich as a sweet symphony. Through the park travels a lake surrounded by greenery. Behind the rocks that were stacked and covered in algae were red, orange and yellow fish darting back and forth. Beyond the lake lies a playground that was recently built.
It was 11:59am, the gates were told to be opened in one minute. The crowd wait impatiently for the moment that they’ve all been waiting for. Eyes glared at the time. The countdown of the opening began, '5,4,3,2,1’.The clock struck 12pm; the ribbon was cut by Councillor C.L. Beard JP. I could hear clapping from the crowd that warmed the air as much as any sun ever could. Families, who live nearby, rush in through the gates that were opened by the Councillor. This day was the most precious moment of my life, it was my first time ever seeing humans. Before this moment, I was only surrounded by a thousand leaves.
Park sunshine transforms happiness in families, laughter of the children and the wings of butterflies. The sun-coloured daisies, vivid purple lilies, carrot tinted hydrangeas and cotton candy pink hyacinths bloom as the gardeners pour water over them. As I sway in the breeze like always, in the corner of my eye, I hear milky white, soft feathered ducks quack and battle for the leftover bread being thrown at them by an elderly couple. The sound of metal rubbing together can be heard when children rock on the swing gently.
Life is short, especially when you’re a leaf. I was delicate and fragile, I could be gone in seconds. I don’t have a family or a permanent life. It has been a couple of months since I bloomed out through the branches of a tree. One evening, I noticed that my deep, verdant green body started fading away its colour. I instantly stopped swaying, whilst noticing all the other leaves were changing colour too. I knew in a couple of days I’d be gone. Devastation grew inside of me, as I shake off the snowflakes that landed on me. I shiver while thinking about me not being a leaf anymore. I will miss each and every second of being here. The next day, as the clouds started pouring tears upon me and other leaves around me, I hold on as tight as I could onto my branch. The sky was tar-black and the large clouds moved towards me. Humans ran for cover and umbrellas were opened immediately. The force of the rain was unbearable, I was struggling to hang on. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, lighting struck onto the tree I was on. I fell onto the floor, knowing there’s no chance I’d survive. My body was already teared into a half. Humans start running for the bus that passed nearby, one of them crumbled the whole of me into thin dust.
My life temporarily ended from this chapter. This is only Chapter 1.
2018
A slight breeze rustles me awake. As I wake up, I recognise something very familiar, Where am I? I’ve seen this park somewhere, I know I’ve been here before, that’s for sure . I recognise this park! Exactly 120 years ago was when I was here. It is unbelievable that I have a very strong memory. It is Barking Park! There are slight differences than before. The park looks incredibly beautiful! They’ve even built a splash park for children and there are now motor boats on the lake. Up on my right is a cafe for families to enjoy and eat in. Barking Park is full of incredible scenery. Other parks that I have reincarnated into in the past are full of trouble and violence. Whereas, in Barking Park, no violence could ever be hunted. I enjoyed the fresh air morning and swayed in the gentle breeze. Squirrels run up trees with their acorn nuts. The park is so similar to before, it has not changed. To be honest, this is my favourite park that I’ve reincarnated into.
Time was very short for me. I flew off from my branch without even realising. If a leaf falls off, it is meant that the leaf is not alive. I was surrounded by many other yellow and red crumbled leaves. I know I will return back soon. This is only Chapter 2.
2138
Chapter 3 of my life will be shared in the future. Before I end off, I want to share about how I feel after this journey so far. Feeling renewed every year is a blessing. It is the arrival not at the finish line yet the start. You can’t change who you are, but you can change what you have in your head, you can refresh what you’re thinking about, you can put some fresh air in your brain. Always think and do good, you will be treated the way you deserve. For example, keeping the environment clean. Trees and especially leaves can live much longer if they are surrounded by clean environment. Pollution, litter and climate change are all impacting us. Hopefully we all learn to respect and appreciate nature by 2138.
Life is like a stream of water that wears the appearance of continuity in form. Reincarnation has helped me and a thousand leaves and I’m sure if you renew yourself into a better person, reincarnation will help you too.
I hope I’ve inspired you.
Write to you soon,
No name, one in a thousand leaves.