The Young Letter Writer

Dear Sir, Dear Madam, or Dear Friend, With ease are written at the top; When those two happy words are penned, A youthful writer oft will stop, And bite his pen, and lift his eyes As if he thinks to find in air The wished-for following words, or tries To fix his thoughts by fixëd stare. But haply all in vain-the next Two words may be so long before They'll come, the writer, sore perplext, Gives in despair the matter o'er; And when maturer age he sees With ready pen so swift inditing, With envy he beholds the ease Of long-accustomed letter-writing. Courage, young friend; the time may be When you attain maturer age, Some young as you are now may see You with like ease glide down a page. Even then when you, to years a debtor, In varied phrase your meanings wrap, The welcomest words in all your letter May be those two kind words at top.