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September 13, 2005
Ode to a... PEN!!!
An object that practically every person possesses. It lies, smooth, rounded, slender, either on the desk back home, or in your hand as you go about doing your work. This object is everywhere; it is vital in every scholar's life. Not worth much in terms of money, it has other values that stretch way beyond what we may think, every time we use it.
A pen. A simple, three-lettered, one-syllable name -nothing fancy. Yet this basic tool provides us with endless possibilities.
It enables you to express yourself; Remind yourself through a note, organize your day through a schedule, communicate through a letter, understand yourself through a journal, keep you focused through a to-do list, demonstrate creativity through a story, put things together in an essay, and helps you tap into your artistic side, either through a quick sketch or a detailed drawing.
It naturally fits snuggled into your hand, gripped between your fingers. You control its every movement. It flows as you want it; it stops when you do. You control the sound it makes against a hard or soft surface. Your handwriting that comes from it -characteristic to you, can be big or small, in cursive or print, sloppy or neat. It can show your mood, if you were in a hurry or relaxed. A pen shows who you are. Your signature is the most common identifying trademark you use, and each time, it is made with a pen.
Once it has served its purpose for the time being, you throw it into a bag, or set it down for next time. Small and light, and sometimes having a cap to replace when not in use, it is one of the most convenient items to store and to access. And if for some reason that particular pen is not there for next time, not a second thought is given when you use another one.
We all use a pen, yet never really stop to think about its valuable function and worth in our lives. Or to think about what we would do, or where we would be, if pens did not exist (no... don't think "just use a pencil"). No doubt, our culture would be completely different - no Romeo and Juliet, no Diary of Anne Frank... would any of our literature exisit? Would there even be such a thing as literature?
A pen is one of the many essential tools that we use every day, yet do not take the time to appreciate. Next time you grab a pen lying around to quickly jot down a note, stop and think about how much it does for us!
Posted by lcisthur at September 13, 2005 01:22 PM