With a pencil in my hand, I can do anything

I can be anywhere, anyone, or anything

With a pencil in my hand, I can fly high in the clouds,

Or dive in the deepest depths of the ocean

With a pencil in my hand, I could live in a wolf’s den

Or an eagle’s nest

I could swing through the jungle on a vine,

Or slide down a glacier on my stomach

With a pencil in my hand, I could

Become the 1st woman president or

Invent something someone never thought of

With a pencil in my hand, I could

Create the future or change the past

But, I wouldn’t

That would spoil the surprise

With a pencil in my hand, I can write

Anytime, anywhere

I can make my wishes come true

Originally published in KidSpirit Online for the Creativity & Imagination issue.

Gracie Griffin wrote this poem when she was 11 years old. Gracie lives in Maine, where she enjoys running, singing, and playing field hockey.

Artwork by Sean Velez, created when he was 15 years old. He is from Brooklyn, New York.