I sit down Tired, anxious But I can’t relax I stand up Make some tea Fresh and green Add some milk Puffy white clouds Suspended in liquid Floating in their little world Take a sip Warmth rushes through me Things are better Nothing complex Everything is Simple Just me And my tea Adele Stamenov, 10Bethel Park, PA
On Sunday, I feel happy because I have nothing to do but play. I sit by the computer and watch YouTube all day. I send yellow balls flying with my white-and-purple racquet, Then get out other strings—my violin from where I pack it. I never feel stressed and always get a good rest. I love Sundays, a day I have no tests. On Monday, I am tired; it’s the beginning of the week. More geometry, science. US history makes me freak. First though, at 7:00, is tennis practice in the morning— “SWING MORE POWERFULLY!” is a constant warning. My arm is so tired and all of my body wants to sleep. But it’s Monday and the whole school sounds like sheep. On Tuesday, I feel depressed. I have homework that’s due. I get more homework, which I have no clue how to do. To make matters worse, at 6:30 there’s math club. Then for dinner, I have to eat spicy sausage grub. I go to my room and watch some online tutorials. It’s Tuesday, and I still can’t understand factorials. On Wednesday, I am free with nothing after school. I eat M&M cookies, then splash into the pool. My homework today is easy and quick, So I go to HEB with dad, and strawberries I pick. At home, with nothing to do, I don’t get bossed around. I love Wednesdays because I never break down. On Thursday, I am tired; I have tennis once again. I run around the green, returning balls and hoping I’ll win. I lose all my energy for the rest of the day. I really don’t want to write another essay. Can’t the teachers stop cramming in so many tests? All I want on Thursdays is to Have. A. Rest. On Friday, I feel okay—the tests are finally at their end. The bell at 3:55 will make it start to feel like the weekend. Before that, noodles, goldfish, and berries will get me through, Just as long as no one packed me a cashew. I trudge down the halls—this feeling only lasts for a while. Fridays are okay because at least I will smile. On Saturday, my mood changes, I end happy but start sad. I start off with Chinese. Everything makes me look bad. But after I finish, I am glad to have nothing to do. Sometimes I go on the balcony and just look at the view. I once again end up watching YouTube all day. On Saturdays, I sometimes even go outside to play. Carolyn Lu, 13Katy, TX
StoneSoupMagazine · Poetry by Julia Marcus, 13 I press my face against the glass, blowing circles of air onto its cool surface. I step back, looking at the filmy, blurred image that faintly appears on the other side of the window. I draw my name in the vapor. My finger squeaks on the glass as I drag it through what used to be my breath. I wipe it all away. The window is slippery. Through the night, I cast a shadow on my front lawn, illuminated by the room’s light. I see every sharp detail of my body, blurred by my breath. Julia Marcus, 13Culver City, CA