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.

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Mixed Bag

I sigh
As the warm water pours down my back
Washing off the dust and dirt
Of the last week
It’s been so long since I showered.

A movie
Playing on television
Surrounding me with its music and images
It’s nice to be part of society again.

Pillows
Soft and fluffy
Two of them on my bed
I’d forgotten what they felt like.

A warm quilt
Pulled over me
What a nice warm place to sleep.

A radiator
Blowing warmth into the room
It’s nice to be away from the drafts of the tent.

Showers, television,
Pillows, mattresses,
Quilts, radiators
Sleeping will be easy here.

Before I drift off
Into the welcoming world of sleep
I look up.

I see only the white paint
Of the ceiling above me,
Separating me from the stars
High up in the heavens
Pinpricks of light slowly rotating
Which were my companions for the last week.

Mixed Bag Genna Carroll
Genna Carroll, 13
San Jose, California