Growing Up

"Growing Up" - Audio 

Written and Read by Phoebe Rubinstein

Composed by Noah Hessling

A lonesome stem has broken through the dense dirt.

Constantly chasing the overwhelming need to spread,

But not having enough room to place its roots. 

It won’t be able to flourish in its controlled environment,

Stunted by the lack of space and stimuli.

It takes everything it can with gratitude,

Since this is the only life it's ever known.

That single specimen is in the sterile, bleak laboratory

Waiting to see what experiments are in store.

The white walls and blinding fluorescent lights

Contribute to the air of static numbness.

As the monotonous time continued to pass,

And the plant received nutrients from artificial soil,

Frail leaves began to sprout and a bud developed.

It was happy to stretch its newfound limbs.

The leaves turned upward, almost like a smile,

Capturing the innocence of its youth.

Before long, several mysterious figures enter.

Cloaked in white, they secure the door with a resolute click.

The company confuses it, but they’re welcome nonetheless.

Until, one of the figures approaches with a syringe.

The plant, on the cusp of flowering, can’t move.

It can only stay frozen, unable to fight back

As the needle pierces cell tissue, and is emptied into the stem.

Foreign liquid courses through the plant’s system,

Burning through every fiber and thread of life.

Instantly, the contents of the bud begin to burst out.

Beautiful petals, pried open with agonizing speed.

Just before they crush the stem, 

The rest of the flower violently enlarges.

As the newly evolved flower cries,

The imposing figures murmur their observations and shock,

And none of them register the noise.

They will never know the torturous existence that follows.

Forever cursed to a fate it never asked for,

The sprout was forced to grow.

Phoebe Rubinstein, Grade 10 

Creative Writing Major

Noah Hessling, Grade 12

Band Major