Poetry

THE CAST IRON STAIRCASE

In the market town of Yeletsin the south of Russia,stands an old high school for womenthat survived wars and destruction.

Everything in the building has been restored,except the cast iron staircasewith curving stepsand black, polished railings.

Everything has been lost.Only this cast iron staircase remembersthe light steps of the young womenwho ran down, clutching their new diplomas,dreaming about freedom.

Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer
Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer, 13
Brookline, Massachusetts

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