Because the eye has a short shadow or br it is hard to see over heads in the crowd? br br If everyone else seems smarter br but you need your own secret? br br If mystery was never your friend? br br If one way could satisfy br the infinite heart of the heavens? br br If you liked the king on his golden throne br more than the villagers carrying baskets of lemons? br br If you wanted to be sure br his guards would admit you to the party? br br The boy with the broken pencil br scrapes his little knife against the lead br turning and turning it as a point br emerges from the wood again br br If he would believe his life is like that br he would not follow his father into warbr br Naomi Shihab Nyebr br