This document contains a collection of poems dedicated to Abigail Shireen by her sister Rachel Mall. The poems explore themes of sisterly love, laughter, growing up together, and facing an uncertain future. Rachel provides commentary on each poem, relating them to inside jokes and memories she shares with Abigail. She encourages Abigail to pursue her dreams and passions, while also making wise choices. Rachel wants to continue making memories with Abigail and supporting her through life's journeys.

1. TIME WILL TELL
By Rachel Mall
Dedicated to Abigail Shireen
A Poetry Dedication Project

2. DEDICATION PAGE
 My dear sister, Abigail Shireen Mall, I chose to dedicate this
piece to you because of all the laughs you bring me. I spend
75% of my life laughing, and 50% of that time is spent with
you. We are two crazy people who can‟t seem to catch a break.
We laugh, we cry, we joke, we sing, (badly) and most of all
genuinely love and care for one another. In the following pages
you will find poems I have written for your entertainment, as
well as famous published poems that I hope will send you a
great message. I hope you learn something from what‟s in here
and you keep and cherish it forever. I love you, and here‟s what
I have to say….

3. FRIENDS
Whether your three years older or seven years younger
A sister is a sister, we‟ll always be
You are irreplaceable, splendiferous and contagious
I hold the lock you are the key
We always laugh, we sometimes speak in silence
With our eyes and our expression
We never turn violent
For a true friend never gets red
They are humble and understanding
There for advice, or for a place to lean your head
With a true friend you‟ll never have to worry about hurting their feelings
If you do, they will be quick to come with healings

4.  I picked this poem because of the first four lines, as well as the last two. In the first four
lines it talks about us being able to enjoy each other‟s company despite the age gap between us,
and also how I feel towards you. “Whether your three years older or seven years younger, a
sister is a sister, we‟ll always be.” There‟s no other person I would rather want as my sister and I
think this poem says that very well. Yes, we do fight sometimes, but who doesn‟t? At least when
we fight we do it out of love and don‟t actually mean the things that we say. That‟s where the
last two lines come in. They talk about forgiveness, and that‟s something that both me and you
do very well. “With a true friend you‟ll never have to worry about hurting their feelings, if you
do, they will be quick to come with healings.” I can never hold a grudge over you and I would
hope that you can‟t over me. You are dearer to me then you could possibly imagine, and even
though we are sisters, I would consider you one of my best friends too.

5. MOVING ON WHILE HOLDING ON
Now that the flowers are blooming and the weather is warming
We‟ll no longer be boxed inside this house
We‟ll be free to run and play
Just like we did back in the day
And I know things won‟t be exactly the same
But we‟ll keep it simple with just playing in the rain
I‟ll try not to be long and come back to you soon
College is a bore anyways, you're my moon!

6.  I included this poem because of its resemblance to our inside jokes. : ) “The weather is
warming up so we‟ll no longer be stuck inside the house.” “Homeschoolers don‟t have social
lives.” I think our favorite time of year is spring when we start to see the flowers blooming,
and the days getting longer. That just means we‟re getting closer to summer and we‟ll no
longer have to be indoors, doing school, until three o‟ clock in the afternoon. Yes, maybe one
day we‟ll look back and thank mom and dad for choosing this schooling option for us, but,
until then, we‟ll continue to look forward to the days when we can actually be free of the
bondage that holds us to these four walls. Granted, in the summer we both get pretty lazy
anyways and end up staying home most of the time : ) but, at least there isn‟t a reason for
staying home besides our own choice. As far as the last part of the poem, I wrote that because
maybe if we weren‟t homeschooled, our education could not have been the best. Basically
what I‟m trying to say is, I‟d settle for no snow days and being what society may call as
“sheltered,” for a diploma and protection from the different harms of the world, would you?

7. SILLY POEM
Two hearts go together like fleece and a sweater
Chocolate and strawberries
A mom kissing a wound, saying “Is it better?”
You and I go together like something you can‟t even describe
It will leave you breathless even paralyzed

8.  I included, “Silly Poem,” because it describes us and gives readers a taste of our personalities.
The poem is very random, like us, and quirky. We laugh countless times throughout the day about
the most randomness, stupidest, and silliest things, that it‟s probably not even normal. That‟s another
reason why I included that poem. Like us, it‟s not very normal, yet somehow, I think the poem fits
together and shows some character. The average reader may not get the poem at first, but if they
read this, hopefully it will come into focus for them. I didn‟t write it so that it would make perfect
sense, or have some significant poetic meaning behind it. It‟s just a random, silly poem, that reminds
me of all our “moments” and I want you to be able to look at it when you‟re having a rough day.
Make sure you read it over and over again, and laugh historically. Not necessarily at the poem itself,
but at what it resembles. You and me both acting silly as usual, or just me, who sometimes has to be
embarrassing to get you to smile, who makes you laugh when you‟re feeling down, and who rewards
you with frozen yogurt when you clean our room.

9. WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
The memories we‟ve already had
I wouldn‟t take any back
They‟ve made us who we are today
I love you so much
I say it all the time and it may start to lose its meaning
But you deserve to hear it often
I look forward to what‟s in store
The journeys we‟ll take
Let‟s start the engine
And maybe I‟ll graduate!

10.  Okay, so I know that I‟m not planning on going away for college, but, I wanted to include this
poem because even though I‟m staying put, my maturity level and responsibilities are getting
higher, as are yours. I wanted to let you know, that no matter how old we both get I‟m always
going to be here for you and the journey‟s we take together will just become more epic. The
innocence we had when we were younger was cute but now as were getting older we have to be
wiser and understand the consequences to our actions. I want to see you grow up to be a mature,
young, Godly women and think before you act. Like I said in the poem, the memories we have
together are priceless and I wouldn‟t take any back. As we look to the future, I pray that we will
have many more memories to come, but that they will be honoring and glorifying unto the Lord,
and that you will actually learn something from them. Also know that it is okay to make mistakes,
because after all, you learn from them. Don‟t look back and regret anything. If your mind‟s telling
you yes, but your hearts telling you no, stop what you‟re doing and give me a ring. I‟ll give you my
advice and you can take it from there. I love you so much, and I can‟t wait to see what‟s in store.
<3

11. GROWING PAINS
I can‟t believe how big you‟re getting
You‟re going to be taller than me!
Stop the clock and go back a few years
Now let me take a look and see
Wow, how time has flown by
I remember when you were a baby with tears in your eyes
Looking up to me instead of towering over
Maybe if I‟m lucky you‟ll shrink when you‟re older

12.  The poem “Growing Pains,” is probably my favorite. Do you remember that picture
we use to have? It was of the two of us and we were wearing identical outfits, but in
different sizes? Well I can still remember the day it was taken. I‟m going to guess that I
was around eleven or twelve which would have made you around five. I was about two
feet taller, and the string bean, while you were this chubby little bunny. Now, almost
seven years later, you‟re as skinny as a pole and I have to go to the gym. (What‟s that all
about?!) You can now easily fit into my shoes, which, by the way, is annoying, and almost
everybody is saying you‟re going to be taller than me. I can‟t believe how fast time is
going by, and yes, this is going to sound cliché but, in the blink of an eye you‟re all
grown up! I included this poem so that you‟ll hopefully be able to read it one day, and
just stop what you‟re doing. Really appreciate every single moment of your life because
you‟ll never be able to get those moments back. You can reminisce and wish, but never
fully relive.

13. A Dream
In visions of the dark night
I have dreamed of joy departed-
But a waking dream of life and light
Hath left me broken-hearted.
Ah! what is not a dream by day
To him whose eyes are cast
On things around him with a ray
Turned back upon the past?
That holy dream- that holy dream,
While all the world were chiding,
Hath cheered me as a lovely beam
A lonely spirit guiding.
What though that light, thro' storm and night,
So trembled from afar-
What could there be more purely bright
In Truth's day-star?
 Edgar Allan Poe

14.  You get the sense of sadness when you read this poem by Edgar Allan Poe. He talks about having a dream, a dream with a
bright light that‟s shining in front of his face, and then waking to realize that it‟s gone. The one thing I want you to take out of
this poem is that if you‟re ever ambitious about something, don‟t give up on it, or else become regretful.
 I really don‟t want to see you wasting your whole life by just taking it day by day and not really setting your mind to
anything you can achieve. If you‟re passionate about something, go after it. Don‟t be that scared person I was and take a chance
every now and then. Edgar writes, “In visions of the dark night, I have dreamed of joy departed – But a waking dream of life
and light, hath left me broken-hearted.” Don‟t let your future become a dream that vanishes when you open your eyes. Find
your passion, be ambitious, and let the papers fly.
 However, make sure your being wise about the choices you make. Meditate on certain things and only do them if you feel
in your heart it‟s the right thing to do. Don‟t act on impulse because that could be a bad idea. I talk about wanting you to make
the most of your life; however, I don‟t want to see you do anything stupid either. If for some reason you can‟t find anything that
you want to achieve, or can‟t find motivation to achieve it, then possibly you‟re not looking in the right direction. Re-evaluate
some things and pray about your situation. The Lord will lead you on the right path; you just have to be patient and willing.
 At the end of the poem I think the author is realizing that he needs to chase after this bright light. It‟s so bright that even
through night and storms it shines through. When you‟re having a rough day and your light seems to be fading, Stop what you‟re
doing, take a deep breath, and remember why you fell in love with your passion in the first place.

15. A Time to Talk
When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don't stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven't hoed,
And shout from where I am, What is it?
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.
 Robert Frost

16.  What I want you to mostly get out of this poem is that if a friend needs you, put aside what you‟re doing in that moment
and try to realize that your friend needs help, and called you. I know you are not a selfish person to begin with, but especially
when it comes to friends and loved ones, I want you to be as much a help to them as you are to me. It really works in the poem
when the poet explains that he will not just stand there in place and shout from where he is, “what is it?” He will stop what he‟s
doing and go see what it is that his friend needs.
 Also, it‟s not just the fact that you‟re helping that matters, it‟s the attitude you do it in as well. Be happy when you help
people out! It‟s an awesome feeling and sometimes you can benefit from it more than you think. Remember that story we heard
about Tim and Sharon? Tim‟s friend was moving and needed help lifting the heavier furniture. Grudgingly, Tim offered to help,
but the whole day he was wishing he was anywhere but there. After a while, another friend came to help out with moving some
boxes and her name was Sharon. Tim thought Sharon was gorgeous and long story short, they ended up getting married. Tim
went into the day with a bad attitude and it turns out if it weren‟t for him helping out his friend he would have never met his
future wife.
 When you‟re a joy to be around and are dependable, more people will gravitate towards you and grow to love you. Not for
your looks, or popularity, but for your personality and helping hand. Don‟t expect anything in return, but if offered something
say, “Thank You,” and leave it at that. However, make sure whoever you‟re helping knows you‟re doing it because you want to,
not because you have to.

17. Be Not Sad
Be not sad because all men
Prefer a lying clamour before you:
Sweetheart, be at peace again -- -
Can they dishonour you?
They are sadder than all tears;
Their lives ascend as a continual sigh.
Proudly answer to their tears:
As they deny, deny.
 James Joyce

18.  I think what this poem is talking about is bullies and people bringing you down. The one line says, “They are sadder
than all tears; their lives ascend as a continual sigh.” I want you to re-read that line over and over again, and never forget it.
 People are selfish and arrogant, and will come at you in this world. As you grow older, you will come to find this even
more. My advice to you is to remember that like the poet says, their lives are probably way worse than yours. Remember that
they are struggling, and their way of releasing steam is by treating people the way they are actually being treated at home, or in
their own lives. Although it hurts to be called names and it is annoying, don‟t let it get to you. Live your life and pray for
those who are mistreating you.
 I think if the poet were still alive he would probably tell fans that one thing he would want to include in this particular
poem is, to not return with a revengeful backlash at someone who has hurt you. Remember that if you let things that people
tell you get to your head, and you start treating them or others around you bad, then you‟re no worse than them. Continue to
breath, and maybe even try to know your bully and befriend him or her. All they really may want is someone who cares.
 “Sweetheart, be at peace again, can they dishonor you?” The answer is, no, they cant. Keep your head held high, kid.
Don‟t let them get to you and keep moving forward. Don‟t even waste your time with worrying about them or with fear. You
have protection from someone who is far more powerful than your bully. Love you!

19. BEAUTY crowds me till I die,
Beauty, mercy have on me!
But if I expire today,
Let it be in sight of thee.
 Emily Dickinson

20.  “BEAUTY crowds me till I die, Beauty, mercy have on me! But if I expire today, let it be in sight of thee.” This poem for
me, is one of the most beautiful, straightforward, yet simplistic poem ever. With only four stanzas, it tells so much. It‟s simply
stunning.
 My interpretation of this poem is this: That even though you have outer beauty, all of that should be undesirable if it‟s
not aimed toward the Lord. It‟s not a bad thing to be beautiful, nor is it bad for you to want to strive to be pretty. However, its
weather or not you‟re striving for the right kind of beautiful that matters. What I mean is, don‟t focus all your energy on trying
to look desirable. If you want to buy nice clothing and wear makeup that‟s one thing, but if you‟re not doing it for the right
reasons, I‟m afraid you‟re not doing it right at all. You should want to glorify God in everything that you do, if you‟re hearts
not in the right place, you could only be trying to glorify yourself when getting dressed in the morning. Think about the kind
of message you‟re sending out when you wear certain clothes, or look a certain way. If it‟s one that‟s drawing attention to
yourself, then rethink your priorities. Don‟t get lost in this world of fashion and always looking your best. Be humble and
selfless.
 “BEAUTY crowds me till I die, Beauty, mercy have on me! But if I expire today, let it be in sight of thee.” No one is
perfect and we both know that everything we do is defiled with sin, but that doesn‟t mean we have to stop striving to be
glorifying unto the Lord. Beauty is all people see sometimes, beauty on the outside, what a person‟s wearing, but its beauty on
the inside that I care about, as well as God.

21. When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,
And the dimpling stream runs laughing by;
When the air does laugh with our merry wit,
And the green hill laughs with the noise of it;
when the meadows laugh with lively green,
And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene,
When Mary and Susan and Emily
With their sweet round mouths sing "Ha, ha he!"
When the painted birds laugh in the shade,
Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread:
Come live, and be merry, and join with me,
To sing the sweet chorus of "Ha, ha, he!“
 William Blake

22.  This poem is all about laughter. I just can‟t seem to read it with a straight face. My smile fills my face and I want yours to shine
bright.
 Life is short, sometimes shorter then we think. Take it all in and laugh! Don‟t take things too seriously. When things do get
tough, take a deep breath and relax. The poet talks about animals. and nature laughing. and having a good time. I believe that‟s a
metaphor to look around at the beauty that God has placed in this earth and truly be grateful for it. How can anyone be miserable
on a place like this? Where beauty touches the sky and you don‟t even have to get in your car and drive somewhere to find it.
Remember all the good moments that you‟ve had in your life, and don‟t let the bad overshadow those. Things happen for a reason,
and that reason is to either teach you a lesson, or better yourself. So don‟t get mad or frustrated. Lean on the Lord and try to
understand why. Thank him for everything that he has already done for you, and for the fact that there is so much beauty in this
world.
 “When the painted birds laugh in the shade, Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread: Come live, and be merry, and
join with me, to sing the sweet chorus of „ha, ha, he‟!” Take this world in and explore it. You don‟t have to be stuck in this small
town. When you‟re ready, step outside and find your joy. Find your joy, and then help others find it too. Be that light in the
darkness, and never stop being you. Glorify God, keep your faith strong, breath, and just keep pushing forward.
 I love you and hope you enjoyed this!

23. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Blake, William. "Laughing Song." About.com n.pag. Quotations. Web. 24 May 2013.
<http://quotations.about.com/cs/poemlyrics/a/Laughing_Song.htm>.
 Dickinson, Emily. "Beauty Crowds Me." Hello Poetry(1654): n.pag. Poems. Web. 24 May
2013. <http://hellopoetry.com/poem/beauty-crowds-me-till-i-die/>.
 Frost, Robert. "A Time To Talk." Poem Hunter (1916): n.pag. Poems. Web. 24 May 2013.
<http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-time-to-talk/>.
 Joyce, James. "Be Not Sad." Poem Hunter 1941. n.pag. Poems. Web. 24 May 2013.
<http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/be-not-sad/>.
 Poe, Edgar Allan. “A Dream." Poetry Foundation (1849): n.pag. Poems and Poets. Web. 24
May 2013. <http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174152