Limerick Ode To The Pencil Sharpener (3-Verse)

Did anyone else love sharpening pencils as a child? I was reminded of this favorite ritual of mine, when I learned that today’s the anniversary of John Lee Love’s small, portable “Love Sharpener” patent.

Limerick Ode To The Pencil Sharpener
By Madeleine Begun Kane

As a youngster, I’d take much delight
In my writing tools, shiny and bright.
This is how I’d begin:
I’d stick pencils within
A small sharp’ner, my point-making rite.

How I’d rotate each pencil and stare
At its shavings, while taking great care.
And here’s what I’d ask
In my ritual task:
“Please pencil, don’t break. Don’t you dare!”

Cuz turning too much takes its toll
When the pointiest point is your goal.
But I learned over time:
Pencil points quite sublime
Can be Lovingly carved in that hole.

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14 Responses to “Limerick Ode To The Pencil Sharpener (3-Verse)”

  1. I loved my Ticonderoga No. 2’s.

  2. Oooopsss – did not mean to post multiple comments here.

  3. Bjorn says:

    It has been so many years since i last sharpened a pencil.. I remember in School when we had to go the teacher and sharpen our pencil… but some overdid it and where banned from sharpening too much,

  4. Sanaa Rizvi says:

    It used to be so much fun sharpening our pencils every chance we could get :D lovely limerick ode.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

  5. It’s amazing how the limerick form is so versatile. Nice memory poem.

  6. narcissus101 says:

    your poem reminded me of my childhood,

  7. Grace says:

    It’s been years for me, smiles ~

  8. Lilu says:

    This was such fun! I loved sharpening those multicolor pencils as a kid. Or trying to “sharpen” a crayon!

  9. ”… point-making rite …” – wonderful!

  10. Often as I write with my ballpoint pen,
    I really would like to just begin
    again–this time with a pencil tip,
    spreading graphite dreams on a trip
    down memory’s path to childhood’s den.

  11. Sharpener of words
    dulls.. of minds.. boreds..
    Sleep in day
    Death of play..
    Add a line Adaline..
    Adaline forever sublime..:)

  12. kaykuala h says:

    Sharpening a pencil rightly an art
    Deftly one twists holding its ‘butt’
    Mindful not too strong
    Or it will all go wrong
    Repeating, which is not being smart

    Hank

  13. Patrick says:

    I think a clever literary critic could infer a very dirty, erotic and scandalous subtext to your three stanzas. Bravo!