This Is Just To Say...

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.

-- William Carlos Williams


Recently I was listening to This American Life (we love this show and have a link to it this week’s podcast right there on our sidebar) and the topic was poem parodies of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet William Carlos Williams' This Is Just To Say. This famous apology poem supposedly started out as a letter to his wife after having eaten her plums. This Is Just To Say is a poem that just begs to be parodied, and so it has been, many times. So naturally, I thought I'd give it a go.

(And is he really apologizing to his wife for eating her plums? It sounds like he's blaming the plums for being irresistible, making excuses for his behavior.)

Here are my own (bad) versions. Please send us yours.


This Is Just To Say...

I have eaten
the chocolate
rabbit
that was in
your basket

and which
you were probably
saving
to eat

Forgive me
its waxy shell
so beckoning
and I was so hormonal

...or

This Is Just To Say...

I flattened your
bike's tire
when I borrowed
it without asking

and which
you probably
wanted
to ride

Forgive me
it was spectacular
so new
and so shiny

...or

This Is Just To Say...

I ate the
cake sitting
on the
kitchen table

and which
you baked
for the
ladies luncheon

Forgive me
it was so rich
coaxing me with
its chocolate goodness

...or (Husband’s favorite)

This Is Just To Say...

I'm sorry I
called you
an idiot
last night

and hurt
your feelings
making
you cry

Forgive me
but you were
such a jerk
and made it so easy

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