William Carlos Williams is spinning in his grave this week – with joy, that is! Joy at the lovely extensions of his poem “This Is Just To Say” that you all (Byromaniacs? Are we going with that? Sure, we’re going with that) came up with. Whole new levels of imagery and nuance and lots of vengeful anger that Williams could only imply with his gluttonous, sneaky plum eating.
If you need a refresher on the original or the variations, zoom back here. So put on your poetry-reading hats, or tunics, or giant banana costumes, whatever outfits you have for poetry appreciation and dig in to these finalists! Then vote below. Because competition, of course, is the essence of poetry.
This is just to say
I used the last roll
of toilet paper
So soft
Never replaced
In the basement
Is a new case
Napkins left
In the rolls place
– Fraha
*
This Is Just to Say
I have taped over
the NHL playoff game
that was in
the DVR
and which
you were probably
saving
for the weekend
Forgive me
It was so boring
so sleep-inducing
and so stupid
(and besides, I needed to tape Dancing with the Stars)
– Howlin’ Mad Heather
*
This is just to say
I spent the money
you were saving
for a lawnmower.
I am sorry, I know
how you coveted that Deere
to manicure your lawn
But I coveted a manicure, too.
– K8edid
*
This is just to say
I thought about what you said
I understand you need some space
and I’m not angry
anymore
your stuff is on the lawn
the fire is almost out
your mom can’t wait to see you
and your old room is just the way
you left it
– Skipping Stones
*
This is Just to Say…
I forgot to unplug
the iron like you
asked me to.
Don’t worry, you
can always rebuild.
Here’s a $10-off
coupon for Motel 6.
It will be like a vacation.
They have free HBO.
– Curly Carly
And there you have them, in all their glory!
The Byronic Man 
April 28, 2012 at 10:10 am
I cast my vote! But I think you should leave me on your sidebar. Just update the heading to “Blogger of Forever.” (“My Favorite Blogger” will also do.)
April 28, 2012 at 10:50 am
Just so you know, I’m working on that “girliest things about me” list in honor of your birthday tomorrow – and in an all-out blitzkrieg attempt to win that gift basket.
April 28, 2012 at 2:26 pm
No. Way.
April 29, 2012 at 12:50 pm
I’ll second that… a lot cuter than 1Point!
April 28, 2012 at 11:05 am
This is just to say…I actually said nearly that to an ex (though I didn’t set fire)
April 29, 2012 at 8:39 am
There’s still time. It’s never too late to set an ex’s stuff on fire.
April 29, 2012 at 8:40 am
In this case, too late. He is dead
April 28, 2012 at 4:04 pm
Hey, this is just to say…that I voted for myself. This was a lot of fun.
April 29, 2012 at 8:54 am
Voting for oneself is totally in the spirit of things.
April 28, 2012 at 6:36 pm
This is just to say…hi! It’s been a while. Still as whacked as ever I see. Good to know some things never change. 😉
April 28, 2012 at 9:15 pm
HEY! You’re still around! I’ve checked in to your site from time to time – was wondering if you’d called it quits.
April 29, 2012 at 5:59 pm
I DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS A CONTEST!!! I would have tried harder. I think they are riddled with favoritism anyway.
I am on my way to the drugstore to buy a pair of sunglasses, so I can log onto your blog in the future. It seems there is a blindingly bright object on the right side of the page… it was not there last time looked.
April 30, 2012 at 6:21 am
To paraphrase the immortal words of Charlie Brown, “Just wait ’til next Sunday!”
April 30, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Woot! I’m a finalist!! Setting fire to other people’s stuff really pays off.