Rudimentary writing instrument records the past;
evolved from a basic Roman stylus,
inscribed manuscript scrolls with lead;
Leaders who conquered the world.

Until the leader of the lead world was replaced;
basic graphite stocked the empire
Her Majesty reigned with string
around Parliament.

And Nuremberg spawned, mass-produced
thousands upon thousands
of straight, unvaried, do-as-you’re-told
pencils,
which were imported to newborn America
until wars ravaged the wooden houses.

Still the Eastern Red Cedar survived seditious fires: 
strong, splinter-resistant, not yet colored yellow— 
Uniform Yellow to signify royalty and respect
for China
from whence the best graphite came.

But yellow is just painted on;
it chips and peels and cracks.
A darker mark leaves soft Graphite
buried in an open casket.

Graphite lies—
      used.

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