Variations On A Theme By William Carlos Williams

1
I chopped down the house that you had been saving to live in next summer.
I am sorry, but it was morning, and I had nothing to do
and its wooden beams were so inviting.

2
We laughed at the hollyhocks together
and then I sprayed them with lye.
Forgive me. I simply do not know what I am doing.

3
I gave away the money that you had been saving to live on for the
next ten years.
The man who asked for it was shabby
and the firm March wind on the porch was so juicy and cold.

4
Last evening we went dancing and I broke your leg.
Forgive me. I was clumsy and
I wanted you here in the wards, where I am the doctor!

Analysis, meaning and summary of Kenneth Koch's poem Variations On A Theme By William Carlos Williams

2 Comments

  1. hi says:

    this is such a great poem. i love to break legs. to understand this poem u have to read this is just to say. SO READ IT OR U WILL PAY THE PRICE… I MEAN IT.

  2. MarkC says:

    To understand this poem, you need to be familiar with “This is Just To Say”, see: poets/Kenneth-Koch/7810

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