Often, poetry ideas result in imitating published poets. Today, we will consider William Carlos Williams' poem, "This is Just to Say." Notice the balance of how the speaker is both apologetic and unapologetic regarding what he has done. Then, imitate William Carlos Williams by writing a poem apologizing or confessing something you have done. It can be something simple like eating plums or something more detailed and specific. Begin your imitation with the words, "This is just to say."
Consider William
Carlos Williams' poem as well as the student imitations below
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"
-by: Angela Knight, grade 11
Sorry for embarrassing
you at the dance when I
poured spaghetti
on your white dress
but it was
kind of interesting
looking at you
while you
were screaming at me
for doing that.
"This is Just to Say"
-by: Kerry Washington, Grade 1
I am sorry I
let your
sister spill the
juice but
it looked like
orange raindrops
falling from the
sky.