Dear Henry David Thoreau

If you'll pardon me,

I hope I will not disturb your eternal egoism

by asking why you, of all people

go to such lengths

to convince yourself

that living alone,

with no friends, no family, and no

home but that which you've built

with your excessive pride

is the happiest,

purest

way to go.

You could be such a pleasant man,

but instead make it your duty

to be as intolerable as you can

to everyone you meet, and even

bestow your contempt upon generations who

won't meet you until your ashes have

turned to nothing and back to ashes again.

Good day,

and good riddance.

I won't be teaching you in my English class.

Your humble servant,

Maria Sondule