Tea with Miss Potter by Rebecca

Tea with Miss Potter by Rebecca - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

Tea with Miss Potter
My Historic Conversation with Beatrix Potter

Miss Potter, I’d like to invite you to tea.
Let’s talk about rabbits and hedgehogs and mice.
Conversing with you is an honor to me,
A struggling author; I’d like your advice.

Let’s talk about rabbits and hedgehogs and mice,
The countryside, gardening, writing, and art.
A struggling author; I’d like your advice.
I know I have promise, but where do I start?

The countryside, gardening, writing, and art
Are seen in your stories with detailed perfection.
I know I have promise, but where do I start?
I write my own stories with equal affection.

I see in your stories, with detailed perfection,
Your rabbits named Peter and Benjamin Bunny.
I write my own stories with equal affection.
My rabbit is Toby. He’s sweet and he’s funny.

Your characters Peter and Benjamin Bunny
Are recognized still, are admired and known.
My rabbit, sweet Toby, is grumpy and funny
And one day may garner some fame of his own.

You broke expectation and shattered convention.
Allow me to pass you some cake with your tea.
Your gift to the Lake District goes without mention.
Conversing with you is an honor to me.