“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 is Just To Say…
Nah, it’s cool. I’ll just take them home tonight. It’ll be fine. Who’s going to just eat someone else’s plums without asking, right?
Did I say “very soon”? I meant “now.” Now would be better.
And I love you, too… can I have another hamburger?
Oh, hey, is this your house? Crazy.
The Byronic Man 
April 8, 2013 at 3:58 am
This is just to say,
I like your variations
On Williams’ poem
Very much.
I never quite understood
Why anyone would eat
Someone else’s plums
Which they were saving
For something.
I mean, that’s just
Rude.
Even if one does apologize
Afterwards,
All you’ve got is an
Apology
And no plums.
April 8, 2013 at 11:45 am
Well, apparently the poem was an actual note Williams left for his wife, and he was a doctor, so I’m sure the God Complex factors in there somewhere. “All plums are my plums!”
April 8, 2013 at 6:22 pm
All Plums Are My Plums would be a really cool book title, I have to say. Or a band name. Or the motivation for a psychotic fruit-obsessed supervillain. The Lex Luthor of plums!
April 8, 2013 at 4:55 am
This is just to say
That this was one of
my favorite poems,
but your variations
are better.
I think you really
captured the poet
and made it all
more interesting
so thank you,
for the Monday pick me up,
so full of laughter
and smiles.
April 8, 2013 at 11:45 am
Thanks for saying so. And yes, I’m definitely a waaaaay better poet than Williams. There are hamburgers and beagles in my poems.
April 8, 2013 at 12:41 pm
And who can resist hamburgers and beagles?
April 8, 2013 at 4:57 am
This is just to say
Someone
Should post more
Clancy pics.
Forgive me;
I swear that’s
not the only reason
I read your blog.
April 8, 2013 at 11:46 am
I’m afraid he’ll get conceited if I post too many pictures of him. You know how dogs get…
April 8, 2013 at 5:00 am
You picked one of my favorite poems and then surpassed my expectations with your own. And you’ve reminded me why everything you want to eat ought to be labeled. Going now to label the leftover meatballs and spaghetti.
April 8, 2013 at 11:47 am
Don’t forget to label it as “poisonous.” It won’t stop food thieves, but it might slow them down.
April 8, 2013 at 5:53 am
I like it! Nicely done. I wish I could respond with a poem, as many others did but alas…it is too early for that. 🙂
April 8, 2013 at 11:47 am
It’s okay. Perhaps you should have some nice plums to wake up.
April 8, 2013 at 6:27 am
Love your Wm Carlos WM theme and variations! Well done.
April 8, 2013 at 11:47 am
Thanks. It’s one of my favorite creative writing exercises.
April 8, 2013 at 6:28 am
A whole new spin on poetry month! I wonder if things would have turned out the same if there were peaches instead of plums.
As for the hamburgers on the floor… Whenever I’m in the kitchen, Reggie just stares at the floor, waiting. I guess I’ve earned a reputation for clumsiness.
April 8, 2013 at 11:49 am
The band Presidents of the United States covered peaches pretty well in their song. “Peaches come from a can! They were put there by a man! Nature’s candy in my hand, or can, or pie…”
April 8, 2013 at 6:43 am
This is just to say…why am I having deja vu all over again? I think I’ve stumbled into this spot on the space/time continuum before? Yes? No?
April 8, 2013 at 11:50 am
Sometimes I just have to run an old post. At times it’s because I come across it and really like it but forgot about it, other times it’s because I don’t have time to eat, much less write. This is the latter.
April 10, 2013 at 9:03 pm
This is just to say that there’s an Eddie in the space/time continuum
who doesn’t have any plums either
and doesn’t know where his towel is…
April 8, 2013 at 7:27 am
This is just to say:
I have read your poem
And its delightful parodic nature
makes me want to say:
thanks for being clever.
and for not ruining a good poem.
April 8, 2013 at 7:35 am
This is just to say
I loved this poem
the first time around
And now
I still giggle
at the hamburger line
April 8, 2013 at 8:22 am
So much depends upon a comment box
Glazed with brain water
beside the red wordpress.
April 8, 2013 at 11:51 am
I worked with a guy who used “red wheelbarrow” as an example of how stupid and meaningless poetry is. I took the dignified route and said nothing, then judged him harshly in my mind forever in all capacities.
April 8, 2013 at 5:11 pm
In my time, I have written some truly awful poetry, especially when I try to write dirty Limericks to my girlfriend of the moment.
Way to go, B-Man! When you can’t say anything good about someone, trash them in your thoughts forever after, especially if they are an “ignoranus” (someone who is both stupid AND and an asshole) who don’t appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that go into writing ANY poetry.
April 8, 2013 at 9:14 am
This is just to say…
I was happy
When you said hello
From behind the display of
Pears in Whole Foods.
Until I
Found you staring
From across the aisle
In the meat department.
And now
I am dialing 9-1-1
Since I see your reflection
In my rear view mirror.
April 9, 2013 at 11:46 am
The original poem would take on a new meaning if it was a note written by a stalker.
April 9, 2013 at 12:28 pm
That’s for sure….
April 8, 2013 at 10:02 am
This is just to say
That it’s exactly
The type of poetry
People keep leaving on the Post-it notes
On the fridge in my office.
April 9, 2013 at 11:48 am
The original poem would probably have less elegance if, instead of plums, it was a microwave burrito and half a leftover caesar salad, but more office-aptness.
April 8, 2013 at 11:42 am
Loved it. The replies carried it on. Blogging in its true form.
April 9, 2013 at 11:48 am
I know, I’m pretty impressed by the comments.
April 9, 2013 at 4:09 am
This is just to say…
The icebox
is now chained
and my rifle
leans against it
Touch my plums again
and your
thoughtlessness
shall decorate the freezer
Forgive me
but you must chose:
to be so sweet
or so cold
April 9, 2013 at 11:49 am
If plums are outlawed, only criminals will have plums!
April 9, 2013 at 2:20 pm
This is just to say
I have taken
Your wallet
Which was
On the sideboard
And which
You are hoping
I did not use on the Internet
Forgive me
The dress was beautiful
And will last longer
Than plums.
April 12, 2013 at 11:43 am
This is just to say
that this blog may be
my favorite
new find
And that
I’m simultaneously
Entertained by and jealous of
Your creative humor
Forgive me
I will now tell all of my friends
That I wrote this blog even though
They’ll never believe it
April 12, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Thanks for saying so, and I’ve been telling my friends I wrote “High Fidelity” for years, so… fair enough.
April 15, 2013 at 8:14 am
Top 5 songs for plagiarzing…
April 13, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Reblogged this on Affiliate Info and commented:
Awesome post, love where the truck is parked, to bad about the plums.