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This is Just to Say
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is just to say
I ripped off today’s blog topic
from “This American Life” on NPR
Please forgive me
It was such a tempting topic
And I am so weak.
Recently, “This American Life” did a show on apologies that aren’t really apologies (i.e “Mistakes were made”), and did a segment on the William Carlos Williams poem titled “This is Just to Say.” Here is the poem:
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
The point is that the poet is not really apologizing, or even all that sorry. There’s even a little whiff of passive-aggressive behavior. But the show then jumped to the proliferation of parodies of this poem.
Here are a few that are out there on the Net, and/or were quoted on the show.
This is just to say
I had sex with your sister
on our wedding day
I was just so full of happiness and love
I knew one day
we could look back on this
and laugh
and by one day, I mean that day
and by we, I mean I
and by laugh, I mean laugh
This is just to say
I ran over your cat
forgive me
he just looked so retarded
although he was born that way
his eyes were crossed
his tail was bent
Darwin
would have wanted it this way
If it makes you
feel better
it took me three tries
to catch him
This is just to say
I have pulled the
Pin from that grenade
On the desk.
Forgive me.
I thought it was
My keyring,
And
Anyway, it’s National Poetry Month, and I was wondering if anyone would like to try a hand at a parody of “This is Just to Say.”
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Comments
By Kate
April 28, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
I’ll come up with my own “this is just to say” poem, but first I really want to find the response from the poet whose plums WCM ate. It’s wonderfully b-tchy…I know I have it at home somewhere. Do you know it, Phil?
By Kate
April 28, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
OK, I found it. “This is just to Say” by Erica-Lynn Gambino(for William Carlos Williams)
I have just / asked you to / get out of my apartment / even though / you never / thought / I would / Forgive me / you were / driving / me insane
I was wrong about him eating her plums, though.
This is a great blog idea. Hopefully I can get back to it later!
By Nicole
April 29, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
My Version of “This is Just to Say”
This is just to say I have finally secured the Democratic Nomination that was on the the list of things you thought you wouldn’t have to work too hard for
and which you were probably saving for the chance that you and Bill could finally return to government housing.
Forgive me it was a tough fight, but so envigorating and so worth it in the end.
Hopefully this will be applicable soon….
By Ruth
April 29, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
My Version of “This is Just to Say”
This is just to say I’m sorry that I’m Quitting this lovely job And will no longer Give you the privilege Of telling me what to do. This is unbelievably regretful For me inasmuch as I have looked forward To being here Monday through Friday From 8 to 5. Every weekend I have Cried not—not being Able to go to work. This is what makes This so difficult for me. Please accept my Deepest heartfelt apologies And know I am doing this Against my will.
By kia
April 30, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
This is just to say
That I’m sorry I snapped at you
When you acted like you didn’t
Understand a simple sentence
For the fourth time in a hour.
And I’m sorry I said Med School
If you didn’t know
The difference between
An wrist and a hip.
They do, occasionally,
Find themselves
In close proximity
And so I can see your confusion
If I squint and
C** my head to the right.
By kia
April 30, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Part of two lines disappeared…
It should read:
“And I’m sorry I said I didn’t see how
You were going to get in Med School”