Property Of

My pencil has engraved on it,
To last for its duration,
“Property of New York City
Board of Education.”

So it seems the pencil’s purloined,
In which case I am the thief;
Though I don’t think its loss
Has generated any grief.

For items that we own and mark
To be identified
Remain that way until they are
No longer by our side.

Then other folks possess them,
Which of course they will not mention.
It doesn’t matter if the theft
Was really their intention.

A marker only goes so far
To guarantee your claim.
For once it’s gone, it hardly counts
That it still boasts your name.