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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SOMBER KEY

I open and close the same
tall supple door,
hang on my frozen gold hook,
and wait for my life to change.

I get placed into a large
maroon bag and lie there,
wistful and alone.

The bag opens.
A vivid light
shines through
my empty body.

But then I fall
onto the cold white floor.
The maroon bag walks
out and I know
I’m lost forever.

Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer
Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer, 13
Brookline, Massachusetts