No Matter What | Teen Ink

No Matter What

February 4, 2011
By Charlotte Lee PLATINUM, New York City, New York
Charlotte Lee PLATINUM, New York City, New York
21 articles 6 photos 4 comments

I love this pencil because it is broken
Because the eraser fell off and the tip wore down
I could sharpen it if I wanted to
But I don’t
My pencil broke in half
Each piece is as long as the distance between my thumb and pointer finger
I scotch taped the sides together
My pencil sits on my desk
bent, bitten, tortured
The victim of my nervous habits
I’m not afraid of anyone stealing it…you could imagine why
When our teacher gives us a test, the others take out pointy, long shiny pencils
But I don’t
Mine stands out among all the others
My teacher tells me to throw it out
She says it isn’t useful anymore.
But I don’t
It would be like throwing away all my knowledge
I hear the kids whisper about it
I heard them plotting to destroy it
So I simply left it out so they could
And when I found it broken to bits, I smiled at them
And knew that it was my pencil
No matter what


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This article has 11 comments.


on Mar. 6 2011 at 10:05 am
Sissybug2012 PLATINUM, Union, Missouri
36 articles 0 photos 128 comments

Favorite Quote:
"the greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return." -MOULIN ROUGE (song lyrics)

this is totally interesting....you are very good at this...i loved it

writerfan190 said...
on Feb. 16 2011 at 3:02 pm
Wow this is absolutely amazing!!!!!! I love the way you make a broken pencil so valuable to a person. great job!

on Feb. 16 2011 at 10:36 am
BlackMoonWhiteSky PLATINUM, Cedar Park, Texas
44 articles 3 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
Thus is life, live it, or die trying!

Is it silly that I find this poem sweet? I love the way your voice comes through with your word choice.

Apeggy BRONZE said...
on Feb. 16 2011 at 10:29 am
Apeggy BRONZE, Albion, New York
3 articles 0 photos 42 comments

Favorite Quote:
A.B.D"A Beautiful Dream"

This poem is so intriguing and stands out form any other cause it's so different. I love it keep! And if you could please tell me what you think of mine!

spaceman said...
on Feb. 16 2011 at 9:34 am
Beautiful.  Reminds me of being in school.  I used to bite the end of my pencils.

Smerrlee said...
on Feb. 16 2011 at 6:56 am
Beautiful poem !!!! Unconditional positive regard for an imperfect pencil that metaphorically represents so much more about the writer. Her knowledge and the wisdom of her self-acceptance in the face of others' possible judgments. Great title: "No Matter What".

Polito1 said...
on Feb. 15 2011 at 9:02 pm
I love this poem-- it made me think!

23art said...
on Feb. 15 2011 at 8:57 pm
I love the part where you leave the pencil out for others to destroy. strong

on Feb. 15 2011 at 1:07 pm
CaptainFabulous GOLD, Gray Summit, Missouri
17 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Sometimes I believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast" - Lewis Carroll

I like how you take something as simple as a pencil and make it  so meaningful. Great job! When I get some stuff up you should check it out! :D 

dancegirl! said...
on Feb. 15 2011 at 10:54 am
amazing! love the idea! <3

on Feb. 15 2011 at 10:24 am
freetobe8080 SILVER, Powhatan, Virginia
7 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Live like you&#039;re at the bottom, even if you&#039;re at the top.&quot; - Kevin Jonas Sr.

This poem definitely stands out. I love it. It's almost refreshing to read something relating to everyday life.