Ruler

By HV

Subjected to uses other than to rule
Straight lines and numbers measured to twelve
Small markings jotted on paper next to you
Thin piece of metal flowing through your side
Imitates your backbone

Smelly hands of teachers in classroom
use you to point and bang
on hard surfaces to warrant attention
and no one listens
Still you are not a ruler

Coming up short
are things pulled from pant zippers
and measured against you
some with skin stretched
for exaggeration in tales told later
you are subjected to this standard of measure
Still you are not a ruler

Dipped in snow on the ground you shiver
Left perpendicular to the surface for hours at a time
To capture the imagination of unspecific reports
Still you are not a ruler
But you rule!


PAD Challenge: Day 11