MARIA intended a letter to write, But could not begin (as she thought) to indite; So went to her mother with pencil and slate, Containing "Dear Sister," and also a date. "With nothing to say, my dear girl, do not think Of wasting your time over paper and ink; But certainly this is an excellent way, To try with your slate to find something to say. "I will give you a rule," said her mother, "my dear, Just think for a moment your sister is here, And what would you tell her? consider, and then, Though silent your tongue, you can speak with your pen." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TWILIGHT COMES by HAYDEN CARRUTH FOR WALT WHITMAN by DAVID IGNATOW POSTHUMOUS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TO ABRAHAM LINCOLN by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON MERELY STATEMENT by AMY LOWELL |