This Is Just to Say

This Is Just to Say

by William Carlos Williams

 

I have eaten

the plums

that were in

the icebox

 

and which

you were probably

saving

for breakfast

 

Forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet

and so cold

 

 

 

 

This poem defines relatable for me. Its simplicity drew me in and the subject left me there. A simple note maybe written by your significant other. Too busy for punctuation, but written with sincerity. The person is sorry for eating your plums, but they wouldn't take it back. The plums were so sweet and delicious. Then possibly its more of a thank you note. Thank you for leaving these plums in the icebox for me to find. I'm sure the receiver of this note would not mind having their plums taken. The note exhibiting a sweet gesture of recognition. I know if I received a poem apologizing for the simple crime of eating my plums, I might leave more plums in the icebox.

 

 

Interestingly enough, there are actually websites devoted to parodies of William's short work. I will post a couple here that made me smirk.

 

 

 

This Is Just to Say

by an internet user

 





I have narrowed
the margins
that were set
by your browser

and which
you were
happy
with

Forgive me
they were wide
my eyeballs
cannot swivel
side to side 

 

This Is Just to Say

by Christine

 

I have shredded

the photos

that were in

the back of your drawer

 

and which

you were probably

saving

to remember

your beautiful ex girlfriend

 

Forgive me

they were so flat

and old

 

 

I've also found a radio program that has some of the best parodies spoken aloud. This part starts in Act Two at about 50 minutes in.

 

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/354/mistakes-were-made

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 





 

Big Nose. Fat Legs. - A Response to Barbie Doll

A big nose? Fat legs?

How pathetic-to say those things to me.

I know I'm beautiful,

I don't mind what they see.

 

A big nose? Fat legs?

But I'm smart and healthy,

intelligent and kind.

I guess beauty was never meant for me.

A big nose. Fat legs.

They are ruining me.

I must rid them immediately.

Then they will see.

 

 

"Men are self-confident because they grow up identifying with super-heroes. Women have bad self-images because they grow up identifying with Barbie."

-Rita Rudner, American actress and comedian

 

 

We Grow Accustomed to the Night

Reading through this poem for the first time, I was immediately distracted by the format. The dashes and capitalization were confusing to me and would show up unexpectedly. Therefore, my initial instinct was to ponder what the author was trying to accomplish with such unique emphasis. After some deliberation, I came to the conclusion that the style of this poem in some ways mirrors the content and the message. For example, some readers like myself may not be accustomed to poetry or this particular style. We read through the poem struggling to comprehend, but when we read it again and again, we begin to adjust our eyes and the true meaning becomes clear. In the same manner, the speaker emphasizes our sight adjusting to the darkness to help us find the way.

After overcoming the issues I had with style, I then focused on the meaning of the poem and it truly resonated with me. I feel like we all experience times of darkness. But the real test is how we adapt. Will we fumble through the woods banging our heads on trees? Or will we wait it out and let our eyes adjust to the midnight darkness? I feel neither choice is wrong, but we as individuals have to decide how we will become accustomed to the night.

This image is what came to mind when picturing the darkness and night. To me, it symbolizes being alone and stumbling through the woods at night.