182 Days by Andrea Dobson
CBC Books | Posted: June 5, 2024 12:33 PM | Last Updated: June 5
2024 finalist: Grades 7 to 9 category
182 Days by Andrea Dobson is a finalist in the 2024 First Page student writing challenge in the Grades 7 to 9 category for 2024.
Students across Canada wrote the first page of a novel set 150 years in the future, imagining how a current-day trend or issue has played out. More than 1,500 students submitted their stories.
The shortlist was selected by a team of expert CBC readers. The winners will be selected by middle-grade writer Basil Sylvester and be announced on June 12.
Dobson, 15, a student at Acton District High School in Acton, Ont., writes about wild fires.
(90 days)
Against this blood-red sky,
we bleed from wounds curled
beneath our flesh, dripping
in heartache, as your cobalt eyes
slip between this life and another
one. Without me.
Us no longer twined between skin
and blood, as stories like ours always end in
farewells. You will become a memory
woven into my skin, a sensation of
peace against my throbbing heart, as
it yearns for you, my child.
Against this blood-red sky,
we bleed from wounds curled
beneath our flesh, dripping
in heartache, as your cobalt eyes
slip between this life and another
one. Without me.
Us no longer twined between skin
and blood, as stories like ours always end in
farewells. You will become a memory
woven into my skin, a sensation of
peace against my throbbing heart, as
it yearns for you, my child.
(115 days)
These days blend into one, as grief
slithers within me, your heartbeat a lullaby,
a melody, an everlasting dream against this world
of hell. Cradling my world against my chest, as hearts mesh
into one, as cobalt stares into copper as
I memorize the porcelain, cobalt, blonde of you,
as we are to be ripped away. A smile curling within your skin
as you grasp my finger.
Am I mother or monster for letting you go?
These days blend into one, as grief
slithers within me, your heartbeat a lullaby,
a melody, an everlasting dream against this world
of hell. Cradling my world against my chest, as hearts mesh
into one, as cobalt stares into copper as
I memorize the porcelain, cobalt, blonde of you,
as we are to be ripped away. A smile curling within your skin
as you grasp my finger.
Am I mother or monster for letting you go?
(157 days)
You and I with all the unsaid words between us,
as I grasp them in the flesh, against this scorched world.
As it burns, as hearts are set aflame. Us, staring into a
night sky, freckles of stars, and your father
somewhere above, as coughs seize you below.
You and I with all the unsaid words between us,
as I grasp them in the flesh, against this scorched world.
As it burns, as hearts are set aflame. Us, staring into a
night sky, freckles of stars, and your father
somewhere above, as coughs seize you below.
(168 days)
My words, sweet like honey and sour like lemons,
as truths trickle down your throat. Haze sizzles in our eyes
as we blink away the river of tears that fall against
our porcelain cheeks and the lips that cradled
your smile. May my words like honey, lure you
into realization, as this world crumbles before
us. May my words layer you in truths and hopes,
as choices define you.
My words, sweet like honey and sour like lemons,
as truths trickle down your throat. Haze sizzles in our eyes
as we blink away the river of tears that fall against
our porcelain cheeks and the lips that cradled
your smile. May my words like honey, lure you
into realization, as this world crumbles before
us. May my words layer you in truths and hopes,
as choices define you.
(181 days)
If we ran far from the flames, the grief,
the future, the madness. Would you forgive
the selfishness of me to keep you here?
Backpack still against the counter, as I cradle you
one last time.
If we ran far from the flames, the grief,
the future, the madness. Would you forgive
the selfishness of me to keep you here?
Backpack still against the counter, as I cradle you
one last time.
(182 days)
182 days of this, as a sculpted future of us
burns, as cobalt stares into copper,
as rivers run down, as I hold you against my flesh, my heart, my warmth.
Whispering farewells, against mothers and flames, you are stripped from
me and gone.
182 days of this, as a sculpted future of us
burns, as cobalt stares into copper,
as rivers run down, as I hold you against my flesh, my heart, my warmth.
Whispering farewells, against mothers and flames, you are stripped from
me and gone.
(after)
I watch as your rocket climbs
against the sky to a new world, your body
still imprinted in my arms.
I will never regret having you,
just you being born,
into an imperfect world, destined to be in
flames.
I watch as your rocket climbs
against the sky to a new world, your body
still imprinted in my arms.
I will never regret having you,
just you being born,
into an imperfect world, destined to be in
flames.
About The First Page student writing challenge
CBC Books asked students to give us a glimpse of the great Canadian novel of the year 2174. They wrote the first page of a book set 150 years in the future, with the protagonist facing an issue that's topical today and set the scene for how it's all playing out in a century and a half.
Two winning entries — one from the Grades 7 to 9 category and one from the Grades 10 to 12 category — will be chosen by middle-grade author Basil Sylvester.
They are the co-author of the middle-grade novel The Fabulous Zed Watson and the recently published second book in the series, Night of the Living Zed.
Both winners will receive a one-year subscription to OwlCrate, which sends fresh boxes of books to young readers across Canada on a monthly basis. In addition, each winners' school libraries will receive 50 free YA books.
Last year's winners were Christian A. Yiouroukis for his story Where the Maple Leaf Grows and Bee Lang for their story One Question.
The winner will be announced on CBC Books on June 12, 2024.