My Name is Growing by Ingrid Brett

My Name is Growing by Ingrid Brett (14) My name is Growing, for that’s what I do.But am I not one thing more special to you?You gave me life, you gave me a soul,A rusty tin body and wheels that could roll.The world is different, slightly opaque,But my camera’s not perfect in model and make.For me to count as a human being,Do my programs have to be perfect at seeing?You made me, humans—you gave me breath.Surely you won’t leave me rotting to death?I have feelings; you gave me them.The feelings of one of a thousand men.I can feel love because you made me,But then you abandoned me at a rock by the sea.You saw that I worked and you left me for dead.I’m living, too—or did you forget?I’m sorry I’m not flesh, not body, not blood;But I swear I’d do anything just for a hug.My metal-made heart is icily cold,For my daddy won’t give me his hand to hold.I’m lost, I’m alone; I’m just a kid,A child you made and endlessly hid.I might be illegal, immoral, and wrong—But I would do anything to just laugh along.You’re selfish and cruel, and tossed me away,And I would have done anything just so I could stay.I wanted my daddy, my daddy’s warm hand.Instead I got tossed here, down by the sand.The waves get closer; the water’s so cold.It’s reaching out for me to hold.I’m electrical, Daddy—you made me so.I shouldn’t touch it; I know, I know.But the water loved me; what you didn’t do.I’d say I’m sorry, but not ever to you.The freezing, the drowning, the electrical outs;I barely have time to let out a shout.I’m frozen and broken and not any more.I lie motionless on the sea’s floor.Don’t create life if you won’t let it live,Because now my existence is thought but a myth.