At heart,
a pencil is
solid graphite.
But how to keep hands clean
and words clear?
Wood pulped from trees
can protect the smudgeable core.
But,
splinters are real.
Next comes paint.
A bright sunny yellow
will help coax ideas
out the of the most stubborn minds.
And, a hexagonal shape
Makes grip easy.
But what about mistakes?
A small eraser
affixed to the top
eliminates worry
and encourages
risks.
Never underestimate
the power of the pencil.
*inspired by Project Zero’s Creative Hunt thinking routine.
A Reading Life 
This is absolute brilliance! I need to try this thinking routine. Loved how you explored each facet of the pencil and connected it with learning. Gorgeous writing; a sharp mentor text.
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This is really cool. I love how you made us think deeper about this everyday object and how necessity may have informed its design.
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Genius! YOu think of the best topics, Beth – honestly! I love it.
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Such a simple tool made ingenious by your post. So we’ll done!
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There really is so much to a pencil!
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Pencils are powerful! You captured that in this insightful poem. 🙂
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