In the quote "leaves have always hidden our awkward secrets" by Diane Ackerman, the imagery of leaves suggests a natural, protective barrier that conceals what is usually kept private or hidden. The phrase implies that nature, represented by leaves, offers a sense of shelter for our vulnerabilities, insecurities, or personal truths that we may not want to reveal to the world.
The use of "awkward secrets" indicates that these may be uncomfortable or embarrassing truths about ourselves or our lives. The quote can be interpreted as a commentary on the relationship between nature and human experience—how the environment can reflect our inner lives and the complexities of our emotions.
Overall, it evokes a sense of introspection about how we navigate our personal secrets and the ways we find refuge or concealment, both in nature and within ourselves.