…trees and language

I walked through the woods. I’d just been reading a book “the worm forgives the plough” and it spoke of the tax that leaves pay to grow. The contribution to the tree that becomes the bark and becomes the roots that allow it to have its place on a branch. I’d never thought of it like that before. So I took the time to look at the leaves on a tree. Sycamore. Fine. Oak. Okay…but then I came to a tree I didn’t know the word for. And it was as if I was trying to speak a foreign language. Like I knew a word for it. But it wasn’t the right word. It wasn’t the exact word. It couldn’t describe it fully. It’s a funny thing, wanting to name things and point to them and be able to categorise them. I’m sure I’ve read about that as part of the acquisition of language or even how it relates to our sense of ownership and control. And that’s how it felt. Like I didn’t have control. So I got home and am downloading the Seek app. So it doesn’t happen again.