my $template = <<END_HERE;
Hi, %s.

I really like your %s shoes.

Best,
-- %
END_HERE

my $text = sprintf( $template, $name, $color, $sig );

##</code><code>##

my ($name, $color, $sig);

my $template = sub 
{
    return <<END_HERE;
Hi, $name.

I really like your $color shoes.

Best,
-- $sig
END_HERE
};

$name   = 'bob';
$color  = 'blue';
$sig    = 'c';
my $text = $template->();