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Teacher, Shall I Write a Sonnet

Teacher, shall I write a sonnet? Must I? When I’m not so sure of my poetry… Shall I write a poem of fourteen lines? In iambic pentameter –by me? What shall I write about? What can I say? In this sonnet which I must jot down now? My sonnet should be about what today? To write a great sonnet I’m not sure how… Teacher, can I write this sonnet later For I’m not sure of what to write about? The teacher then takes my simple paper And “you already did.” my teacher shouts. ‘Detention’ my teacher says, ‘for lying,’ ‘But thank you,’ she adds, ‘for at least trying.’ © Mariam Mababaya.

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Alice Wilson

Date: 2/1/2015 10:28:00 PM

I just wanted to let you know that I am using your poem as an example for my class. It's a great poem for introducing sonnets to younger students. One of your lines is missing a complete iambic foot, and I am asking them to find it while they scan the poem. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but it is a great teaching tool. Your name is clearly written at the bottom of the worksheet that I created to give you credit as the author. Great poem, and thanks for submitting it!