Paperclip Army

What if the "pages" of reality were held together by...

Quiet, unassuming,
These bits and twists
That pile in a cup—
Such simple guests.
 
"Paperclips" we call them,
... pages hold together.
So long as we look,
Metal sinews never stir!
 
The warriors step unseen,
Stick figures of twisty—
Marching bits of wire:
Clackety Clickety.
 
They hold in their grip
Much more than pages:
When mortal gazes slip,
Their secret battle rages.