Creeper

[Christopher Stewart]

("Climbing Plant" by Popperipopp)

“Creeper” is directly inspired by the following aphorism from The Dhammapada :

The streams flow everywhere; the creeper, having sprung up, becomes established. When you see that creeper sprout, sever its root by intense insight. – (XXIV. Craving, #7)

and accompanying translator’s note :

The “creeper” is insidious suggestion, rooted in ignorance and craving, developing into bondage, aggression, and folly. To sever it the moment it sprouts is what the Tao Te Ching refers to as doing what is difficult when it is still easy. This is the purpose of vigilance, so highly recommended by Buddha.

The piece forms an allegory wherein destructive mental processes are compared to creeping plants, and depicts a confrontation between creeper and host in four stages : introduction, growth, conquest, and extinction.

The audio clip presents the last sections of the composition which correspond to the extinction of the sabotaging parasitical vine. The host has won the final confrontation and confirms his triumph by revealing the modus operandi and nature of his opponent :

Paradise awaiting / Because your constant voice
(All your doom scenarios never come to pass)
Always analyzing / Undermines every choice
(Expected catastrophes never come to life)

Creeper now I can see / You sabotage my dream
(All your doom scenarios never come to pass)
Yet share its quality / Thus ends your little scheme
(Expected catastrophes never come to life)

While the lead singer plays the part of the host, the backing vocalists repeat a victorious mantra.

The plant then makes a few attempts to rise from its ashes, but all are short-lived as they are rapidly recognized and subdued by the conqueror.