Every year around this time, when the Gay Pride celebrations are strong, and the imminent arrival of summer has everyone on glorious and excitable edge, the linden trees exude their lovely perfume. From the most unassuming of light green blossoms – even in a banner year of blooms, most people don’t notice them as they blend in. Their fragrance, however, is unmistakable. It fills the air with a sweetness usually reserved for the most luxurious perfumes. Because of this unshowy declaration of presence, I’ve always loved the linden tree.
It took me years before I finally figured out that it was this tree that was producing such an intoxicating scent. I had been looking for some exotic tropical flower in bright pink or white, waxy of petal and heavy of head, for how could such a potent perfume come in anything other than something so show-stoppingly grand? To discover that beautiful perfume could be found within the branches of the stalwart linden tree was one of those pivotal lessons of life that humbled me in ways more potent than my usual hubris-detonations.
This year, I got to experience the blooming of the lindens in both Albany and Boston – fortuitously-timed for my presence in both cities – and the fragrance still recalls the hope and fervor of the days straddling spring and summer. Heady and happy days all.
