Ode to William Carlos Williams

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens.

so much depends

upon

free landscape mulch

dumped

on my drive

way

waiting to be

spread

so much depends

upon

a new wheel

barrow

makes my job

easier

requiring many less

loads

so much depends

upon

my ability to

move

one big pile

becomes

nothing less than

done

When I was in college, I started writing poetry. I've never been very good at memorizing passages I've read or even ones I've written. My friend, Ivan, has a gift for that. He is from Ireland, and lived there until he finished high school. In Ireland, the educational system seems to favor the study of great works of literature. I am certain, even after all of these years, Ivan can recite several poems from his childhood. They were forced to memorize the words, and certain things just stick with you.

When Cyndi and I went to Ireland in 2006, to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, we stayed with the McCullagh's (Ivan's parents). Both of them can recite poems pretty effortlessly. It's not like I've ever seen either one of them with their heads buried in a book. It was simply something they did growing up.

During my poetry classes, we were not asked to memorize or recite the poets we were studying. However, one such poet, William Carlos Williams, a small town physician, struck a chord with me. His style was, to me, so approachable; so relatable, so simple.

There's two poems, widely studied over the years, that have always stuck in my mind. The first, "The Red Wheelbarrow," (above) was the first poem I ever memorized. It's not a hard one to do that with, but for me, it will always be my first.

The second, "This is Just to Say" is a poem that many writers like to play around with, making their own versions (check this out - Act Two http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?sched=1291).

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

Makes you want to rush to your fridge and see if you have any plums yourself, right? Go ahead and check.

Maybe you'll find a note, instead.