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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Akeelah, Akeelah (11/19 writing workshop)

Akeelah, Akeelah

Akeelah, Akeelah I wake up to Akeelah every morning. Akeelah, Akeelah Puts me to sleep at night. Akeelah, Akeelah I listen to it all day. I can’t stop hearing it. Sometimes it gets deafeningly loud. I can’t hear myself think. I can’t hear others speak. Sometimes it gets so quiet I can barely hear it A whisper at the back of my mind.

Akeelah, Akeelah I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t there, Cheering me on Slowing me down Waking me up in the morning Lulling me to sleep at night Raising me up Lowering me down

Akeelah, Akeelah It’s angering at time, yes But it has a rhythm A comforting rhythm that soothes me It’s the rhythm of my life Steady. Never changing

Akeelah, Akeelah Akeelah, Akeelah Akeelah is who I am, and I never want it to go away.