Stone Soup

Where young artists paint the world with words

The international magazine of stories, poems, and art by young writers and artists. Published continuously since 1973.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Stay updated with our latest stories, poems, and news delivered to your inbox.

Christmas Carols

It was Christmas night
with the stars twinkling.
all the lights shining bright
the crowd of people thickening.

Singing Christmas carols through the town
“We wish you a Merry Christmas”
“We wish you a Merry Christmas”
shrill voices made me frown

In a small corner
under the dull flickering street light
trying to look harder
as the words in my book lit on fire

Noises echoing
voices bellowing
feet tapping
my ears were snarling

Like the Grinch on Christmas Eve
like eating a poinsettia
this night
this terrible dreary night
is one of the worst
I have ever seen