Sharpened and Ready
Sharpened Pencils Tall and new, stubby and chewed Collected in one container, ready for use. Previously dulled by overuse, Set to one side with anxiety and fear Covered with crusty paint, no longer useful. Freshened now by the sharpener Scraped till fresh graphite is exposed The past a defining memory. Ready now to be useful To write, to sketch, to create Ready now for a fresh, new school year.