Ode

Pencils

Fly

with invisible wings

Across

the classroom,

out of lockers,

and behind teachers backs.

A straight shot

towards the professor

and an arc that lands

by someone’s feet.

Covered in designs;

pink hearts

and blue “Happy Birthday”s

who think the concept

of being naughty

is revolting.

Just plain yellow

with Ticonderoga #2

who are evil

criminal masterminds.

They all can fly.

Mechanical and new

like spaceships.

Everything perfect,

no dents,

and no paint,

or

battered and old

like planes

from World War Two,

the pink eraser broken off

with only the silver band

that holds them together,

the bright

yellow paint peels

to reveal

the pale wood underneath,

and the lead,

like the nosecone

at the tip of the aircraft.

The children,

eyes wide,

watch as pencils fly.

Who

made that pencil

a flying pencil?

Did someone

Throw that vessel

through the air,

or did that pencil

actually fly?