Imagist and Sneaky Poetry

Imagist Poetry

To better understand "This Is Just To Say" as well as all of Williams' work, a definition of imagist poetry is in order. Imagist poetry can be difficult to define because there are many perceptions of what exactly it is. Imagist poetry is a seeming contradiction. It is concise and simple in the visual aspect as well as the literal meaning, but it is also quite complex in its "actual" meaning. Imagist poetry paints a concrete picture for the reader while expressing a deeper meaning.

This particular poem uses clean and succinct language to create a picture. At first glance this poem comes off almost as if it were a note left on the table next to the empty plum container awaiting discovery.

At first glance this poem seems like nothing more than a simple note, but after it is read the reader starts to notice the poetic feel of the words. The reader gets dragged in by the simplicity and swallowed by the complexities.

The language in this poem is very crisp, clear and to the point. There isn't a word over three syllables in the poems entirety and the poem itself is only 28 words. This poem is by right and by form simplistic in nature.

Sneaky Poetry

This poem sneaks up on the reader; he/she looks and is inquisitive because at a glance this doesn't seem like much of a poem at all. Then, all of a sudden the readers' mind is shooting off in all directions trying to interpret what exactly the situation surrounding the image is and all that is left is an image of tantalizing plums to taunt you. This poem turns into a love affair gone awry and all of this stems from the simple image of plums. Thus is the beauty of imagist poetry.

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... (William Carlos Williams)