This is just to say
aliens have come
picking plums
we’ll never taste
with cold fingers
that linger
on mushy flesh
of red and yellow
they freeze
they’ve probably
never plucked
such juicy
goodness
with such ease
William Carlos Williams
would not
be pleased.
A poem for William Carlos Williams and dVerse Poetics where Laura asks us to write a poem addressing a favorite poet and try to emulate their style. I do love the imagery and brevity Williams uses and perhaps this is one style I can do a decent job emulating. I have included the plum image contained within his famous poem below.
Note: Many believe the image of the plum represents premature death. Let the reader be the judge!
This Is Just To Say
William Carlos Williams – 1883-1963
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
Tricia Sankey 
Excellent response — to the prompt and to the author.
Thanks, Ken! His poems are so fun to analyze! 💝
Excellent work Tricia, wonderfully written.
Thanks, Rob! Fun prompt!
Lovely. I think you channeled WCW expertly and made your own fine poem too.
So pleased you enjoyed it! I’m still trying to decide what my poem means, 🤣
😃
Tricia I love your rendition and did not know about the plum symbolism!
Thanks! It’s just one theory I’ve read, but the plum he devoured before breakfast and his guilt is interesting. The forbidden fruit is sweet!
You’re very welcome and indeed it is.
Well done! A great poem. I saw this plum poem analyzed on PBS just a week or two ago! Very interesting!
Thanks, Dwight! I love the intrigue in his little poem.
It is very interesting! You are welcome.
Ahhhh, I love it so much! WCW would be proud and you possessed his spirit in writing quite well. Beautiful work as always, Tricia! It’s always a pleasure reading you.
Appreciate your comments, Lucy! 💓
very nice
Thanks so much! 💗
This makes me want to respond in similar poetic form, but I shall resist the urge, Tricia. I really enjoyed this!
❤
David
Thanks, David! It is always a thrill to eat someone else’s plums 💖
Sheer delight to read this poem – like biting into the fruit straight from the tree! good to be able to read it too alongside the original inspiration
Thanks, Laura! Your prompt really pushed me and made me try something new this week! ❤️👽❤️
What a wonderful retelling of WCW and the alien plum tasters enjoying the juices just as much the forgiven fingers of the past. Well done, Tricia. Love your spin on this classic poem and style.
Thanks so much! ❣️👽❣️
Your poem made me smile, Tricia. The original has been taught by so many teachers and analysed by so many students over the years, and we can still find sweet juiciness in it. The thought of aliens picking plums from the tree in my garden had me grinning – bring them on!
Thanks, Kim! I keep seeing leaked footage of aliens on the news and it seems to be inspiring me! 👽
I love it! What a fine and extraterrestrial response. Great work Tricia 🙂
Thanks Ingrid! ❣️👽❣️
You captured Williams’ style … beautifully. For me the plum image means life in all its juicy goodness. Cheers.
Thanks so much, Helen! 💕
Oh I kind of felt you would do WCW… (didn’t I leave a comment on that a while ago)… this was just so much fun, I knew that there has someone else consuming the plums.
Yes, I remember your comment! I like Williams “show, don’t tell” style…even though he starts with “this is just to say…” he lets us all guess at the true meaning!
Or that red wheel barrow that so much depends on.
Yes! That’s a good one!
One of the few American poems I know! Good job with the emulation and the tribute.
Thanks, Jane! 💝
This is such a gorgeous, gorgeous tribute, Tricia 😀 I love; “with cold fingers that linger on mushy flesh of red and yellow they’ve probably never plucked such juicy goodness.” 💝💝💝
Thanks, Sanaa! Fun lines to write, but hopefully this is not a prophetic poem! 👽
this was really cleaver and fun to read, enjoyed this very much
Thanks for stopping by, Phillip! Glad you enjoyed it! 💝
You taught me two things today – WCW (which i need to read soon) and the plum symbolism. Thank you!
and if it’s not too much to ask, would you know a collection of him that i should ideally start of? thank you!
Thanks for stopping by! You can Google WCW “Selected Poems” or click https://interestingliterature.com/2020/02/william-carlos-williams-poems/.
for some good reading! ❣️
awesome! thanks a lot, Tricia!
Could be death by alien or death by the hand of the person the plums were stolen from. One way or another, I am sure you can’t blame the plums!
Thanks, Sean! 💓
Love his poem; love yours! Both are poetically delicious!
Thanks! 💓