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

There was a bit on This American Life about this poem, and how many offshoots it has inspired.  There are many takes on what this poem really is saying, but most agree that he is not truly apologizing, but instead saying, “I couldn’t help myself, I am not sorry, but I hope you won’t be mad.”  Or does he even care if she is mad?  And is he feigning the uncertainty about her breakfast?

It made me think that there are many things that fall into this category.  It’s like the old joke, “I’m just sayin’”.  The situation where you say, “You’re fat,” to someone and they get upset, and somehow, responding with, “I’m just sayin’” somehow indicates that it just had to be said, and it really isn’t your fault.  Like that statement makes everything cool now.

So, I might, here and there, as inspired by This American Life, occasionally post a This Is Just to Say poem about something I am going to do, or did, that I’m not really sorry about, but I really would like people to not be upset.  They may be real, or they may be figments of my imagination.  Whatever inspires me.

 And they might not even happen…so in that eventuality, I’ll start with one right now.

This is Just to Say

I have not posted
poems mimicing
his style and arrogance

Which I stated
I would post
in earnest.

Forgive me,
But this is my blog
and I change my mind
often.