5 Ways of Looking at a Pencil
Inspired by Wallace Stevens

I

As the men whispered and snickered and plotted the murder,
The pencil lying forlornly on the desk was the only one to hear

II

He could never prove it,
But the boy sitting behind him kept poking him with a pencil’s eraser

III

The little girl thought it was a strange Tinker Toy
Until her brother asked who had put a pencil in the can

IV

Alas, she learned the consequences of walking while reading
When the pencil rolling under her foot sent her crashing to the floor

V

The little boy cried
When they sharpened his magic wand