By MK Kuol

Can losing something sometimes be a form of protection? In a google search on why trees shed leaves during dry season hints at survival mechanism., MK Kuol begins with the science of trees shedding their leaves and moves towards a deeply human question. If trees lose part of their beauty in order to survive difficult seasons, could some of our own painful losses also be protecting us from something we cannot yet see?

it says, & i quote: “…by dropping leaves, trees reduce water loss
through transpiration & prevent dehydration,” which is to say
dry seasons, mean as they are, are kind enough to strip trees
of their beauty, of their dignity to save them from a possible
death. hypothetically, they say: “what is beauty, what is dignity
compared to life? what is shame compared to death?” perhaps
the trees do not know of this. perhaps, like us, when we suffer loss,
they wail. perhaps they withdraw. perhaps they vent. perhaps they revile.
what if our losses are as such, means the universe is protecting us with
from the worst possible & like the trees, we hurt because we are oblivious?

— MK Kuol

Author bio

MK Kuol is a self-taught poet from South Sudan whose work has appeared in The Selkie Publications, ANMLY, Beach Chair Press, Konya Shamsrumi, Kalahari Review and elsewhere.