THE PEN AND THE PAD

Sometimes we will never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory .

An old worn out Pen

lying solitary on top

of a dusty wooden desk;

Ink silently sobbing.

 

From prolonged neglect,

his vigor and luster

had long since been gone.

Now it’s just him and

the creaky vintage seat.

 

He had not spoken to

anyone for years.

No one was around to

express his pain nor see

his tears.

 

Forgotten is the familiar

scent of a smooth clean Pad;

The skating sound of a dancing scribble;

The crisp giggle of a folding scratch paper.

 

Gone is the feel in his lips;

pressing across her white silky cheek.

Sorrow has been his food;

Silence his constant companion.

 

He missed his brother, Bic.

Who had not called him

since they both came out

from the assembly line.

 

A fond recollection of his old pal,

Eraser, from grade school.

Who often wiped off his inky leaks;

Cheered him when things became bleak.

 

Youthful years he reminisced,

when he used to compete.

Love letters and poems he composed

for his childhood sweetheart,

Sharpie, in college.

 

Memories of the past remains fresh

in his heart; his paper-mate, Pad

from long time marriage

withdrew; and calls became few.

 

O what a friendship and love

he once had with Pad,

Who was always there for him

when he was lonely and sad.

 

If Pen could only stop,

and turn back the clock.

He’d give up everything

to have his Pad back ...

by NeiL ArandA  09/27/2013

Author's Note

A Love Worth Knowing and Worth Finding and Worth Remembering ...

Reviews

[Eva Rosehill]

Such beautiful personification and imagery here Neil, I loved this. "Pressing across her white silky cheek" My favourite line.. The way you have portrayed the relation between pen and paper is perfect, with such passion and connection between the two.. Thank you for sharing this.

[NeiL ArandA]

I imagine the pen will have to kiss and press with its mouth or tip when it writes on the pad . On the other hand its a lonely pen without a pad . I missed my family, friends and relatives and I saw a pen lying on my desk and that gave me the inspiration to put this piece together . Thank you Eva that you like it and set aside a time to read my piece.

[gabrielle]

Every symbolism, i believe, represented the important individuals in the poetic persona's life- family, relatives, friends. From the piece, i gathered that there was a time that things had been doing well but by some turn of events there was drastic change that sort of isolated the poetic persona away from the people he/she was very close with and it was during that time that s/he realized how empty life was without them.

The use of pad, a brand of pen, eraser as symbolism of loved ones, family and friends are quite fitting for isn't that such objects, joining forces, could create a moving speech, essay or poetry in the same manner that our family and friends could make our lives lighter and more meaningful?

Ive read this piece of writing months ago but i was trying to figure out what to say except beautiful, poignant, moving piece.

In the end, i asked this question: What is pen without a pad (or any surface) to write on? And I realized that beyond the glaring regret and the longing reverberating in this piece, this poem might be trying to convey that fulfilment, purpose and meaning will always be interconnected with our relationship to the people around us.

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you Gab ...such tender words and thoughts. I had so much in my mind at the time I penned this piece. I saw a pen in my desk ( at work ) and I remember and imagine a life without the people that really mean to us. The pen is solely created for that purpose. Our life and time is very short and fleeting and then its gone. But sometimes things happen that we have no control of like growing old and someday being alone by yourself and nothing left but to reminisce life. Appreciate this so much Gab. There's more to it but it won't fit here...

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Beautiful, Neill. Indeed, a personification of our writing materials. Also written in a humorous style. Liked it very much. Thank you for sharing. :) Rudi

[NeiL ArandA]

I imagine growing old and what its like to have everyone gone and all you have is you and the creaky rocking chair. Thanks Rudi for your continued visit

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

My pleasure, Neil. Have a good day. :) Rudi

[Zahra]

If Pen could only stop,
and turn back the clock.
He’d give up everything
to have his Pad back ...

very nice. beautifully penned

[NeiL ArandA]

Appreciate your time and comments Zahra.

[Tom]

Almost like a special, spiritual friendship such is the bond between a writer and their stationery and one that is so often inspirational to utmost, gratifying effect!

A classy, edifying, editorial indeed!

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks Tom for the words and visit.

[Sami Khalil]

"He had not spoken to
anyone for years.
No one was around to
express his pain nor see
his tears."

[NeiL ArandA]

Thank you for your visit dear brother ... Will drop by to see what I have been missing from your pen and pad ..

[Sami Khalil]

Wow. Any time. You are welcome...:)...

[Benita-Staebell M - Kin..]

beautiful and much Imagination
and was fun to read.


Very creative.

Beautiful loved these stanza's lines here.




An old worn out Pen

Lying solitary on top

Of a dusty wooden desk;

Ink silently sobbing.



From prolonged neglect,

His vigor and luster

Had long since been gone.

Now it’s just him and

The creaky vintage seat.



He had not spoken to

Anyone for years.

No one was around to

Express his pain nor see

His tears.



Forgotten is the familiar

Scent of a smooth clean Pad;

The skating sound of a dancing scribble;

The crisp giggle of a folding scratch paper.



Gone is the feel in his lips;

Pressing across her white silky cheek.

Sorrow has been his food;

Silence his constant companion.


Thank you for sharing. blessings. kindred poet

[NeiL ArandA]

Benita this was one of my attempts to write in free verse. Sometimes I can't help to have some rhymes . I imagine a pen that has nothing to write with. Sort of those old people in the convalescent home who have been forgotten by their loves and they just waste in loneliness in their rooms without ever seeing someone whom they loved and raised visit and make contact with them....

[Benita-Staebell M - KindredPoet]

Still Beautiful, I don't do much rhyme I do free verse mostly, You're welcome I am not writing since I have a sore wrist my sprang or broken just over used it and this is first time happening and I am usually a lot more careful so keep me in your prayers for a quick healing thank you. Benita

[VALORMORE DE PLUME]

Nicely creative interlude on long standing friendships, aging,retrospect,and longing. A bit of humor throughout eases the burden of sadness. I like this it is fun to read.

[NeiL ArandA]

You saw all that ...thank you for the read...

[Horizon K.]

Aww... Sweet and sad, Neil! A writer who puts down his pen, for good, wouldn't that be breaking his own heart? And how much that pen and pad would miss one another. Or maybe it was the muse who left first, that broke his heart, so that he could never write again... Anyway, this was so creative and well done!

[NeiL ArandA]

I miss my family back home and I saw a pen lying in the desk at work and I thought about my family overseas and how I missed the time when we used to be together.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

"all the king's pens"

magic writing about not writing...

where is the inspiration...dried up..."not my inky cloak dear mother" (Hamlet)

the quill will be silent...but sooner or later we burst back into song, or poem.
and the pens will rally with joy.

[NeiL ArandA]

Like your new photo Jacob ... Thank you friend for this thoughtful notes

[Frieda P]

What an endearing read, you made ink dance on your page....I adore this one Neil! :-)

[NeiL ArandA]

Thanks Ms Frieda ... for liking this piece