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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The Soundtrack of Summer

The breeze sweeps through my hair
and pulls aside the curtain of leaves above me
allowing sunshine to fall, gracefully onto my face.
I close my eyes and listen as the hammock sways me gently.
With a bold splash someone dives
into the relieving cool of a backyard pool.
An insect hums and chirps while lounging on a leaf.
A lawn mower putters and roars as it begins to hack away
at a mighty forest that’s been allowed to grow
far too long.
My dog beneath the hammock pants contentedly.
Somewhere near a happy laugh celebrates freedom
from school for many weeks to come.
And then I hear a tinkling like the music at a fairy ball.
For ages that very sound has attracted kids
like moths to a flame.
I jump to my feet and set out at a sprint
towards the iconic ice cream truck.
With every step my flip-flops snap
as my feet pound against the asphalt.
Although the peaceful trance is broken I still love no song more
than the soundtrack of summer in full swing.

The Soundtrack of Summer Rebecca Kilroy
Rebecca Kilroy, 11
Basking Ridge, New Jersey