Dear Mr Kilmer

by Anne Schraff
 Synopsis
The story about one boy , Richard, who has a soft spot on nature and
poetry whereas hunting like his dad and his brother, Gus, doesn't
entice him at all. He would rather sit by himself disapproving of what
his dad and brother do. They shoot animals! That certainly strike his
inner soul telling him that it isn't supposed to be the right thing to do.
Mr Joyce Kilmer is a poet, a naturalist, a journalist plus he's now
serving a military army. How can one be poetic and be brave
simultaneously? That has alerted Richard to send him a letter to
Sergeant Joyce Kilmer. Surprisingly, he gets a reply. They constantly
keep contacting until one day which rips his heart and the heart of the
nation.-the death of Sergeant Joyce Kilmer. People get inspired by the
story once they read it from the weekly bulletin. Finally his dad accepts
the way he trudges, that is not a usual way like any man could do. Mr.
Kilmer proves to the world of something we could learn.
Chapter 1
Early morning during the above freezing February air,Richard,Gus and Pa went to
dear hunting. Pa bet Richard was going to get his first deer on that day. However,
Richard deliberately misfired to avoid killing the beautiful young buck. Gus tried to
encourage his brother to more sociable and scolding him for missing the shot.
Gus was active in sports meanwhile Richard loves farming. After dinner,Pa nad Gus
started talk about sports. Richard went to the kitchen to help his sister Angie who
has taking care of the house after their mother die. PA and Gus always took it for
granted. Richard explained to Pa that he did nit have the right to kill the animals. PA
confessed that he grieving everytime he shot an animal. In past eye, maybe he was
remembering his wife or his brother ,Roland who was killed in a war in Cuba.
Richard felt satisfied after he shared his feeling with Pa.
Richard went to his room, and took a piece of paper and pen and started writing a
poem about How a Deer been killed and he put it in the drawer on top of other
poems and he did not want anyone to know about it.
Chapter 2
The snow has come to an end. The school has started again in the month of
April. America declares war on Germany. One morning, Richard's English
teacher, Mrs Hansen, tells the class that a famous poet, Joyce Kilmer has just
volunteered for army service in the ongoing world war. She reads a poem
entitled "Tree" written by Joyce Kilmer to the class, Richard is fascinated by
the beauty of the simple poem. Richard borrows Mrs Hansen poetry book
and secretly jotted down the New York Times editors office address .On the
way back home. Richard meets Hannah Schermers,the pretty girl of German
crying in the hallway because someone had returned her "dirty Hun "on her
book cover.
Richard confronts his classmates who then reveal their hatred toward
Germans. After back home, Richard decide to write to Mr Kilmer ,he
introduces himself and tells him that he likes his simple poems and shares
about his secret poetry writing. He sent the letter to the New York Times
Chapter 3

A terrible incident has happen at the tavern own by Hannah Schermers parents. It
has been vandalised. To instil good values in students, Mrs Hansen encourages her
students to sign a card to expressing their sympathy for Hannah and her family.
Mrs Hansen shocked at the protest by more vocal student and the culture of fear
created by the class bullies which stop some sincere students from signing. In the
end, only Richard sign the card. Richard action caused the students taunt him for
supporting the German.Richard approaches his teacher and asked for the card and
he want to personally delivered it to the Schermers. Abruptly, Richard was attacked
by Abner and Harry but he manages to win the fight. Richard feels terrible as he
wals home and keep pondering about the people of Turtle Lake. On his way home,
he climbs an old oak tree to watch a train pass by. He sees passenger happily
travelling. As he reaches home, Angie running excitedly towards him with news that
he has received a letter from New York. It is from Joyce Kilmer.