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This is Just to Say

6/5/2016

3 Comments

 
Please share!
​​If you like William Carlos Williams, you might want to get his Selected Poems.

"This Is Just To Say" (1934)
​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
Picture

​Click to listen to William Carlos Williams read his own poem (in 1950!).

​Here is a printable version of this poem to use at home or in the classroom.
Copyright © 1962 by William Carlos Williams. Used with permission of New Directions Publishing Corporation. 

​Have you done this before (eaten the last of something)?!

​Does it feel like a different poem when it's written like a note on the kitchen counter?

Do you like one version better than the other? Did you like listening to the poem?


​For Older Kids
What is sibilance?

Why do you think William Carlos Williams use sibilance in his poem? Do you think it's useful in this poem?


​​Please comment with your thoughts!
3 Comments
Miriam B
5/25/2016 02:24:27 am

When I read this poem for the first time, I laughed out loud!

The other day, I ate all the grapes and didn't even tell anyone.
Just like in the poem, the grapes I ate were really delicious. I didn't feel bad for eating them all. Oops!

I like the poem that is handwritten best. It seems like a good note to leave on the fridge door. Don't you think?!

Reply
Susan
6/12/2016 10:10:02 am

I ate the last banana and mommy was looking for it in the morning. Ha ha ha.
-Sam, 6

Reply
Miriam Bhimani
6/12/2016 03:53:58 pm

Ha! That is very funny. I like that you made a connection from your life to what the poet wrote about.

I like that the poem doesn't rhyme and seems like something that happens in our real lives.

Thanks for sharing!

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    Poetry is an act of peace. – Pablo Neruda
    Why Poetry is Important

    What's going on here?!

    Each week, I post a new poem. We read it, discuss it (nicely), respond to each other and share our own experiences.

    I (Miriam) moderate the discussion to ensure that it is a safe, kid-friendly place for poetry discussion to happen!

    I might respond to kids with questions, ask them to find things out, ask if the poem reminds them of something in their lives or connect it with other poems. 

    ​Teachers and parents are welcome to comment, too!

    Read More

    Poetry Fact

    Repeated readings of poems can help reading fluency and intonation.
    The Poetry of Life
    A Poem for Snack, A Poem for Lunch

    Categories

    All
    2016
    Poem #1
    Poem #2
    Poem #3
    Poem #4

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For Educators

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