… will that cheap pen ever become imbibed with your character? Will you form a bond with it that is unique to you? Will you know it’s quirks as well as it knows yours? Will it, because of these things, remain with you for a length of time and to the extent that if ever parted from your grasp it will feel as if losing a limb? Will the nib shape to your style? Will your grasp shape to the barrel? Will such a pen ever become a part of you?
My father had (he might still have it, I haven’t seen it in a while) a beautiful black fountain pen that I’ve always seen on him as far back as I can remember. It was a beautiful pen, and a gem to write with. It took a lot of will power not to fall in love with it because it was his.
I grew attached to a carrot coloured Pierre Cardin roller-ball back in the ninth grade. But as pens and kids go, the pen lasted a whole two weeks before I lost it. I still remember how bad I felt.
I think getting attached to pens (and stationery in general) is just something you’re born with. You can’t develop or learn that emotion with age or experience. Either you have it or you don’t. And it’s a beautiful thing if you do.
