Thursday, April 17, 2008

A Little Pencil, Scratching

Why do they work best when worn down
half used-up
when the point is uncertain
and the eraser
all but gone
little metal barrel that will
rub holes
if you make an error
not easily fixed
with an enthusiastic crossing-out?

My wild youth was spent
writing with only the darkest ink
fearing revision
like a black cat or shattered mirror.
Today I embrace
my inner pencil
its willingness everyday
to keep moving
making mistake
after glorious mistake.

2 comments:

Karen said...

This one is making me smile (and think in words like "delightful")--it's as though our thoughts/expressions get better when the pencil gets worn down--I understand what you mean.

Anonymous said...

what do you mean by glorious mistake?