This Is Just to Say

We are loving
these days
that you are
giving us

after enduring
the long dark
cold winter

Thank you
they are perfect
so warm and so long


I've always loved "This Is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams and never failed to include it in poetry units with 9th graders. I was bad about not sticking to the school-issued text.

With all the wonderful literature available to study. . . you want me to follow this text book? I don't think so.

Admittedly, I have seen this particular poem in a couple of student text books. It's a great little easily understood piece to teach the concept of voice and/or speaker: Who is the speaker? Could it be a note? Why? To whom? Read it out loud as though you are that person. Craft a response. What makes this poetry? Model this poem in your creative writing. Be sure to include that subtle touch of irony. (Their results were undoubtedly better than my attempt above. No irony there. ) Oh yeah, then there's that whole discussion of the word "icebox" -- a term uncommon to today's 9th graders.

I miss teaching.
I don't miss the Veneto winter.