Stackable Memories

A Poem by Amanda Reynolds

An unexpected wave of memory and nostalgia

Stackable Memories

They’re called stackable pencils, or “push a point”.

I saw one in my classroom the other day,

In the hand of innocence.

It’s the kind of pencil that never needs sharpening,

As each pencil barrel contains pre-sharpened points.

When the point gets dull, you pull it out of the bottom,

Then push the plastic holder into the top

and a new pencil point to pops out.

When I saw it, I was ripped back into the 1970’s,

Into the “Hello Kitty” section of the stationary store

With my best friend and sister

Before she discovered boys.

I could see the plastic packaging,

Smell the soft scented erasers,

And feel the joy of being able to select

One item to bring home to my

Little wooden desk.

The little wooden desk with the flip lid

Pressed next to the chimney and filled

With paper treasures of stories,

Stick figures, letters and dreams.

I felt my eyes start to water,

And I am back in 2023,

And I am looking at the little girl sitting next to me.

“Oh my God and I'm sorry” I say,

this pencil is just

too much for me to handle

today.

© 2023 Amanda Reynolds

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Reviews

Gee

Funny how the smallest of things can trigger memories that can light of shadow out faces.
I guess being an English teacher I should expect high grade fayre from your pen. Hopefully your students can learn this art as you lead them through their learning journey:)

Posted 11 Months Ago

jacob erin-cilberto

Wow, teaching our children does bring us back to old memories.
I still think about grade school, those desks...the inkwells, the seats attached...
carving names of girlfriends..or of hopeful girlfriends into the wood, then getting demerits...
and those no, 2 pencils...and the old manual sharpeners.
I took this trip back with you, Amanda. Back to Holy Spirit grade school in the Bronx...
Thank you...