Catherine Greenfield-- A Final Turn

There is a banana on my desk.
I wonder what it went through to get to be here.
Did it hurt, I wonder, to grow as it did, in a bunch? I hope it wasn't a claustrophobic banana, or it would have spent its youth in a terrifying bundle of nerves, or fruit, or both.
I wonder what it was like being green? I wonder what it was like being so high up for so long. I wonder if it feels high up, if that is all you know. I wonder if it likes being down as much as up. I will put it on a shelf, and check to see if its demeanor changes.
It looks a little happier. But that might be because the shelf is empty, and the desk is cluttered. In other words, maybe it just looks happy because it isn't in a cluster, anymore. That was not a very scientific experiment.
Is plucking a bunch of bananas genocide? No, they're not human. Is it fruiticide, then? No, we will eat them, they will have use. So, if genocide victims were eaten, it would be okay? No, that would be cannibalism. What if we made them into dog food? No, that would be cruel. But plucking a bunch of happy bananas isn't cruel? No, they can't feel. Who says? Science. And science is infallible. Generally. What about Pluto? Touche.
I like to argue with myself. I never win. I also rarely lose. It's an enjoyable game. I much prefer arguing with someone else, though... I get bored, easily, with only the two opinions in my head. Two is too few. I need more. I need someone dual to duel with me. I will try arguing with that banana, now.
Nope, that banana is not dual. It's probably a Cancer or something. Of COURSE I wouldn't pick the Gemini or Sag or fellow Aquarian banana. Just my luck. Oh well. It seems amiable enough.
Would it be cruel of me to eat it? Or cruel of me to not eat it? Cruel to not eat it, because it gave its life for your growth, by your own terms. Yes, but the PEOPLE. They don't count; their lives were taken. Who says the banana wanted to die? It was going to die soon, anyway; bananas don't have long lifespans. Oh, so suddenly, the lifespan of the thing is what determins its worth? Well... maybe? Okay, so a turtle is of greater worth than a person? No. Wait. Yes. Wait. I have just confused myself again.
Okay, deep breath.
That banana looks delicious. Thank you, banana, for being so delicious. Thank you for providing me with potassium and goodness and happiness. Thank you for giving your life for me. It was very kind of you.
I think it just nodded. Sort of. I think I'll eat it now.
If there is one thing I have learned in this class, it's that you can't underestimate bananas. Don't ask me how I got there. I don't know how I got there. I don't CARE how I got there. I got there. And now I have just contradicted myself on every single point ever.

I have enjoyed this blogging process. It made me think about stuff.
It has also made me hungry. Down the hatch, banana my love!
Mmm... delicious!