The Third Leader: Rites of spring
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Seasonal confusion abounds, marked by the early arrival of hawthorn blooms on the ground and swifts in the air. Is spring the new summer? Is summer the old spring? Thus, does climate change alter our clichés as we bask in the sunshine, search for shade from leaves not quite there yet, and wait for the first chimes of the olde ice-cream van?
Everywhere, we are unkiltered. What, for example, is to become of the great canon of folklore celebrating May as summer's start? Ribboned poles, festooned mummers, hobby horses, general prancing about to shouts of "Oi!": all are stranded in the future. Clearly this gap must be filled until the green cause finally excites concerted action and we can exchange darling buds for showers, or at least save February.
Don't worry about artificial inventions: the Victorians came up with most of the May stuff, anyway. Here are some new, relevant traditions for April festivities: 1. The Dance of the Carbon Footprint. Dancers dressed as chimney sweeps perform in airport car parks, staring accusingly at travellers. 2. Throatgirtling the Wastrels. A Green Man goes from house to house on Mondays. Woe betide you if your plastics are mixed with your glass (involves organic treacle). 3. Unwrap Day. Highlights excessive packaging. The prettiest maid in the village bursts out of a box covered in cellophane and removes layer after layer to cries of "Worrr!" 4. Wormery Charming. Increases composting efficiency by reading worms passages from the Kyoto Protocol. 5. The Wicker Person. Alternative heat-source ceremony (not recommended for climate-change deniers). Come on!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments