ConserveAStory

After roaming through Chicago's Garfield Park Conservatory, my class wrote small esseys on sight, sound, and touch.

ConservAStory

Thursday was a rainy and humid day that was only going to get worse for me. The morning was rough and though my day started off in turmoil, it soon became much better because the tranquility of the Garfield Park Conservatory.

As I approached the conservatory’s green line stop, I instantly noticed the large amount of greenery surrounding the big glass dome and as I approached the door the sound of the city instantly turned into the sound of pure birds, water, and plants.

I know you ask, “How can you hear plants?” but you can. You just can. You hear the humidity as it touches your skin. Not like a monsoon humidity but a lush green refreshing blast of pure oxygen.

I was excited to walk in and see my classmates and my teacher experiencing the grandness of the life surrounding them. It was then and there that the sounds of the city fully faded and I had forgotten where I was. All I could hear was the water moving in every direction and at every speed. All I could hear were the birds chirping, and finally, all I could hear were the children discovering THIS kind of life. As a society we forget the roots of the earth. We forget that before we looked up at bridges and skyscrapers made of concrete blocks, we looked up at living breathing trees made of only bark and green leaf like flesh.

Walking around and discovering the life around me was a fully sensual experience. 

Feeling the smooth green leaves of the tropical plants made me realize the succulent nature that they constantly lived in. I couldn’t stop inhaling the smell of the hydrated moss that crept upon all of the rocks. I was in love with the sound of gallons of water being poured down and splashed onto the rocks. It was like listening to the best orchestrated musical piece ever. It was pure chaos. No. It was pure nature. 

As I moved onto the next room, I noticed the still pond and as I saw a fish move and a leaf fall, I saw the legato ripple in the still pond and it was like the smoothest base note I ever heard. As I looked up, I saw the Lipstick palm tree. It stood grand with a sunset color to it. 

As I discovered the outdoor Monet Garden, I came across a mosaic fountain. It looked Moroccan and smelled of fresh clay times due to the moisture. And then that’s when I discovered the Monet garden. I went out on the pathway and as I saw gardeners planting purple irises, I realized it looked like there was a war and all that remained was the explosion of color everywhere. Surrounding the flowers were the adorable fuzzy little bumble bees. Buzzing about and obtaining nectar to make honey, you could tell they had been very busy.

I drifted on to the green and saw what looked like miles of open greenery. For a moment it was my own Versailles. All I could hear was my heart beating and the hundreds of birds chirping. The smell of the moist dirt made it edible.

As I left the conservatory I left with a high. No drug in the world could make you feel this relaxed and at the same time inspired. Looking back at all of the pictures, I can relive each moment and be inspired to plan another trip to the Garfield Park Conservatory.

alexborderie

Author's Note

This was a school assignment.