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Home > All Poetry > The Pen

The Pen This piece has been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.

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By Seamus K., Gilmanton Iron Works, NH
Photo credit: Chyla P., El Dorado, KS
Physical confrontation is not my style.
Verbal abuse ain’t how I roll.
Instead, my weapon of choice is nothing but a pen.
Not for launching dart-like projectiles at my enemies,

but rather to rip them to shreds
on a piece of lined paper.
I’m invincible, they are no match for me
or my ultra slick Bic click-able.

I’m like Judge Judy,
with the way I can call you an idiot
and you can’t say anything back.
Try to get a word in edgewise – oh wait, you can’t.

I’m like Dr. Phil,
with the way I can easily pick out your problems,
but there’s nothing wrong with me! I can’t fix any
but I can surely make you aware of ’em.

I’m like Oprah Winfrey,
how easily I can lie to your face
about how I love your new novel.
The way you used third person narration was brilliant!

I’m like Jerry Springer,
with my cunning attempts to incite a riot.
I’m just an innocent bystander, right, guys? Maybe it will look
more convincing if I break up this altercation with mace.

Any day, any subject, my pen is there.
He’s not biased like everyone else.
I just let it flow, sometimes without even thinking:
like this inanimate object is an extension of – me.

I’m thinking of naming him,
like those creepy old ladies who name their thousand cats
after their ancestors dating back from George Washington.
Fortunately, I don’t have a thousand pens; just

one. Until the inkwell is bled of color, I will never cease.
Our one-way relationship redefines the phrase “pen pal.”
I’ll write until I run out of paper, switch over to hemp if I have to;
Because like the Declaration of Independence,

I am free.
This piece has been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly print magazine.

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This article has 31 comments. Post your own!

Powd3er said...
Dec. 7, 2009 at 2:55 pm:

This poem has great flow and insight.
I really enjoyed it.
Lovely poem darling =]
-Please check out the works that I have posted on here it would be highly appreciated and I think you would greatly enjoy them, Thankk youz-
XxDear Mr. President Let Meh Tell You 'Bout Hard Work Building A Bed Out Of A Cardbord BoxXx

 
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Twilighter said...
Dec. 4, 2009 at 3:22 pm:

I LOVE this poem!! It's amazing, and I'm sure many people can relate! Keep writing!

 
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Cady_ said...
Nov. 29, 2009 at 10:27 pm:

Exactly what was worth writting and being published, this is what people look for, and espessially what I look for. Great words and way of usage that yo defined how you were like other people, not that you wanted to be like the,...Tagged as favorite, and FIVE stars.

 
Cady_ replied...
Nov. 29, 2009 at 10:31 pm :

at the end near tagged as favorites; well before it I ment to put like them...Sorry lol.>Cady

 
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Katherine H. said...
Sept. 4, 2009 at 5:52 pm:

This is awesome!!!
wouldn't want to be on your bad side.
j/k lol

 
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kissingdawn331 said...
Aug. 28, 2009 at 3:22 pm:

wow i feel the exact same way

 
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sarah.c said...
Aug. 22, 2009 at 9:05 am:

amazing poem.congratulations on the getting published!

 
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Tatumn said...
Aug. 20, 2009 at 11:12 pm:

wow. this one is my favorite. detailed and true:) wonderful.

 
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Angelalala said...
Aug. 18, 2009 at 1:51 am:

that was incredible i mean your choice of words was outstanding really great great poem i felt it

 
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XCLover said...
Aug. 14, 2009 at 8:49 pm:

Wow. I love this one :)

 
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Eilina S. said...
Aug. 8, 2009 at 3:44 pm:

WOWOWOW!

The more I read these, the more I feel about them. I used to hate freestyle poetry, but this has a structure, so I guess it isn't

But it's the most amazing peice I've ever read! You deserve every bit of fame you get or are going to get (I'll place a bet.)

 
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Samantha M. said...
Aug. 3, 2009 at 10:13 pm:

This is amazing. I love it, and definitely can relate. Witty and strong, with just enough anger to make it work. Good job!

 
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CherishFaith said...
Aug. 2, 2009 at 2:01 am:

wow you are amazing at what you do. i realy relate. I get what your saying :)

 
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Angel_1995 said...
Aug. 1, 2009 at 6:30 pm:

i love it....its amazing

 
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Katy W. said...
Jul. 31, 2009 at 8:22 pm:

Amazing. That is the one word for it. May I post a link to this in my blog?

 
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S2isme said...
Jul. 30, 2009 at 2:36 pm:

very very nice!

 
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Samantha G. said...
Jul. 26, 2009 at 9:16 pm:

very cool.

 
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BillyJoeBobKellyGeorge said...
Jul. 25, 2009 at 6:34 pm:

a NICE poem. inspires me to write more as well

 
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JacintaT said...
Aug. 15, 2009 at 4:32 am:

Woah. I really liked this. The use of similies was great aswell. I liked the way emotions were used; "rather to rip them to shreds on a piece of lined paper". Very very good. (: keep it up .

 
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Wildheart said...
Jul. 23, 2009 at 10:51 pm:

I absolutely loved it! it was deep and inciteful with a side of humor. Brilliant, a pen is more powerful than most anything. Having control of your own little world is far more amazing. Awesome, Wow.

 
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His-Bright-Green-Eyes... said...
Jul. 21, 2009 at 8:14 pm:

i love this. It's awesome. write more. simply amazing! 5 stars!

 
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jordann_lil_guh said...
Jul. 21, 2009 at 4:29 pm:

this is very witty. love your writing style, love it.

 
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Lainee said...
Jul. 21, 2009 at 2:02 pm:

Self-confidence and righteous anger ring through, yet you saved room for comedy. True words, true soul, truely good writing. Props man.

 
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Mo said...
Jul. 21, 2009 at 2:33 am:

I loved the way "I am free" was separated from the stanza before it; I really felt the feeling of being free.

 
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Kathryn.L said...
Jul. 20, 2009 at 3:23 pm:

It's great, strong but with a sense of humor.

 
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Carellyn T. said...
Jul. 18, 2009 at 3:31 am:

You rock that pen!! keep up the good work

 
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Grace B. said...
Jul. 18, 2009 at 12:58 am:

luv this!!!definitely ur own creation

 
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Melinda L. said...
Jul. 16, 2009 at 11:13 pm:

this is really cool. I liked how you said, "I'm like Judge Judy." I liked that stanza best.

 
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liz W. said...
Jul. 11, 2009 at 5:34 pm:

Awesome! Nice satire.

 
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LilJ<3 said...
Jul. 7, 2009 at 11:42 pm:

This was AMAZING. I love the attitude this poem has. Great job! u deserved to have this published. Once again, great job.

 
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blingblang4eva said...
Jul. 7, 2009 at 3:33 pm:

this is amazazing :) this si exactly how i feel about writing poetry. good job

 
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