ONLINE YOUTH LITERARY MAGAZINE

Photography by Silja Pietilä, 18, Finland

Dear Readers and Contributors,

 

I would like to take the opportunity to personally thank you all for the continuous love and support, especially through the pandemic. In just under 6 months, we’ve come so far; the magazine has been featured on Publish YOUth Writing and Poets & Writers, and the editorial team reached a whooping milestone of 100+ Advice Articles written! As we continue grow our global outreach, we’ve published over 280 creators from 25 U.S. States, 25 countries, and 6 continents across the world! 

 

It’s been a pleasure growing this community over the past three years, so I know I speak for the entire editorial board when I say we hold this magazine and our contributors close to our hearts. It takes a tremendous amount of research and effort to manage the magazine, which is why we're so thankful for all of your support. We encourage you to share our publications and Advice Articles to help our other young creators who may be interested in pursuing their craft.

 

Cheers,

Lori Khadse

Founder, Nonfiction Editor in Chief

The Elysian Muse Youth Literary Magazine

Photography by Safia Henniche, 16, Boston

Editors' Choice Works

 

Dear Cardigan

Written by Cordelia M.

 

You were wrapped round me when I was born
Protecting my shoulders from the Earth’s cold wind,
Lining my arms to protect from thorns of life
Buttons hooking to guide my little hands


Your yarn goes under, over, through holes, bare and hidden
Needle leads point first, into the unformed space
Making armor for me, my thoughts, my strengths
Hiding my weakness from all of you


The knitting needles are a writing tool
They sketch out questions and answers
As I grow, I stretch you, struggle and push
Your thread stays sturdy to all I can do


Angry, I unweave, ignore, and flame you
Tear new dark zeroes, scratch new hopes
No rainbows now to light my youthful heart
A faded armor for the sun and rain


And slowly, patched and scared and struggling
New patterns rise and your sleeves are warm
Reluctantly, I pull on my talents and my flaws
Prick out home, friends, schools, new stains and frays


We weave and knit and then the blind slicers
Cut the thread off, declare the yarn done
More tales and words and worlds to map again
My life is whole because of you, dear cardigan

 

 

Cordelia M. is a 13-year-old aspiring writer hailing from Boston, MA. Poetry has always been a cathartic experience for her, allowing her to decipher and express the connections she sees in her life. Grappling complex topics and trying to communicate them in a relatable way is what she wants to focus on in her future works.