53. This Is Just to Say
“Forgive me / they were delicious / so sweet / and so cold”
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
Prompt:
Write a variation on “This Is Just to Say” by William Carlos Williams. It could be a parody of an apology, or an homage to the everyday messiness that we often convey through to-do lists or passive-aggressive notes left on the kitchen table. Make it short, and make it snappy, and make it sweet.
Annie Jaffee
Location: New York City
About: I just graduated in May, and I wrote this entry--inspired by William Carlos Williams' "This Is Just to Say"– to a mean roommate I had in college.
Age: 22
Anonymous
The jar of
cookies is now
empty
I know that
the chocolate chip
peanut butter
was your favorite
I couldn't help it.
Twenty seconds in the mic,
so warm, so gooey
so rich
Dara Carroll
Location: San Fransisco, CA
About: I love lists and walking on the sunny side of every street.
Age: 32
This is just to say
I have added
a few items
To your bulletin
To-do list
And perhaps
You already
Planned
To do them
Forgive me
I just so delight
In seeing you
And the doing of things
This is just to say
I have taken
Your sunglasses
That were resting on
Your night stand
And which
You probably
Wanted
For your drive
Forgive me
The world is just
So bright
And so shining
Elliot McIntire
Location: Portland, Oregon
About: I'm a retired geography professor who loves poetry, but never tried to write any.
Age: 79
You had the last
of the limonella
that was cold
There’s more
in the cupboard
why don’t you
ever replace the last one?
I’d like one too, but
there is never one there
Heather Viviano
Location: Seattle, WA
About: I couldn't leave out proper documentation of my husband's epic COVID beard!
Age: 51
My eyes rest upon
That covid beard
Which you grew
For isolation
Do you wish
To look
Like the Lorax
Who speaks for the trees
Could you
Would you
Shave it
Please?
Jaz Sisante
About: I love to watch movies and tv shows. I love nothing more than someone who also likes (or at least, be fine watching it with me) the show/movie that I love. Also, I could listen to them for hours rant excitedly and passionately about that show or some other shows they love.
Kelly Matula
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
About: I am a healthcare researcher and writer living with multiple disabilities and chronic illnesses. During The Isolation Journals project, I ended up being hospitalized twice. This was written during the first of these two hospitalizations (which was something like my 29th overall), during which I had a roommate who was much sicker than I was.
Age: 33
I didn't mean
to depress you
with my fate of
getting better
and going home,
neither of which
you might
get to do.
Forgive me,
they picked
this hospital room
for us both.
Liz Overall
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
About: My entry was inspired by my husband who really wanted some waffles for breakfast on day 53. I am not a waffle person but told him to make them if he really wanted them. I happily ended up indulging, because he went to so much effort.
Age: 62
You’re making
Blueberry waffles
In the
Kitchen
And they
Require a lot of
Loving work
As they should
Forgive me
I’m sure they
Will be delicious
But
I think I’ll pass
I’m Good
Lorelle Murzello
Location: Mumbai, India
About: My name is Lorelle. I am a Teacher-educator, researcher, and writer from Mumbai, India. The Isolation Journals was this little window into my soul and helped me understand the (crazy!) world and my role in it through writing!
Age: 25
This is just to say
More clearly now,
That this is the end
Not sure when it began
The background noise
I know you could hear it to
“Hello, hello”
I heard
“Hello? Hello?”
You said
After a point it was hard
To move past that….
This is just to say,
The coffee was great
So, umm thanks?
Maddie Annis
Location: Baltimore, MD
About: The inspiration for this poem came from me forgetting about my best friend’s birthday until the day before. I am entering my sophomore year at Williams College, and I miss the mountains very very much.
Age: 19
Miriam Barr
Location: Indianapolis, IN
About: I live alone and felt an ache each time I left a warm, familial place.
Age: 43
Sophia Kenna
Location: London, England
About: I often think of my grandfather who passed away a few years back. I felt our relationship wasn't what it should've been, and I could've made more of an effort. This stemmed from that feeling.
Age: 22
Vicki Lauruhn
Location: North Mankato MN
About: Approaching 70 this summer and January/February in Minnesota have made me extra reflective & creative. The uncertainties & isolation of the COVID tragedy have heightened my expressions. Day 53 made me focus on how my sweet husband and I are spending more time together & how so much togetherness & COVID cautions manifest themselves.
Age: 69
This man I love
My (COVID19) everyday
Twenty-six years getting old
together
I said it once
I repeated myself
And again—louder this time &
the next
How to confirm I love you
How do I get louder & louder to
repeat & repeat & repeat
Without surrendering to anger
Wyatt Engelhart
Location: Princeton, NJ
About: What inspired me was a fight with my sister.
Age: 12
This Is Just To Say
I’m so sorry
that you thought
I was actually sorry
but it is how
you believed it.