The challenge was to create a poem inspired by 'This Is Just To Say' by William Carlos Williams. There were so, so many brilliant entries from so many people that I'd like to mention these people and their poems first. They deserve a special mention for putting a lot of effort into this challenge!
In no particular order:
I have cried tears of
acid
that were painful in my
morbid bliss.
and which
you were probably
attempting to prevent
from coming.
Forgive me
they were so painful
so graceful
and so pleasing.
I have written my childhood on paper
exploring the beauty of places
that were nothing close to lovely:
city slums, five tree forests, broken homes
and which
you were probably
accustomed to believing there was nothing
in such disappointing places
Forgive me
they were hiding gems under asphalt
so a child would see life in-between the cracks
and so she’d say, “they were there.”
I have lived
dreamers' dreams
that were vivid -
nearly reality
And which
you were probably
doubting
at inception
Forgive me
they were necessary
so essential
and so insubstantial
I have stolen
the socks
that were in
the dryer
and which
you were probably
planning
to wear tomorrow
Forgive me
they were delicious
so fluffy
and so warm
--The Laundry Gnome
I have tried
to think of words
that were coherent enough
for this poem
and which
you were probably
thinking as you read
"hmm..good try"
Forgive me
they were just words
so random of words
and so pointless...but hey, I tried any way.
I have flushed your poor goldfish
right down the toilet,
that were most likely belly up
for at least a good long month.
and which
you were probably
wondering whether you should check on dear Chippy and Golly
after being gone on that trip for what seemed like forever
Forgive me
they were smelly and rotten
so obvious that no one had fed them
and so obvious that they were dead.
I have torn out
the stitches
that were binding
my mind
and which
you were probably
hoping
were the cure
Forgive me
they were pulling
so scratchy
and so fragile
I have dreamt of a life as a mother,
Raising the three demigods
that were distracting me from this madness you call society,
all ensnaring me with their intangible, unending loyalty.
And which
you were probably
Wondering, "Where has she gone? She's not out for days!"
I wallow fitfully in the moment, deep in slumber, dreaming away.
Forgive me
They were all that I've loved for the past 2 years
So very welcoming
And so viciously possessive.
I have reached for the moon and touched it
held the fury of suns in my palms
that were bruised and scarred and blistered
I have lost and I've fought and I've won.
And which
you were probably
dying to see, but I hid in the sock by your bed.
My mind wanders and trails empty crossroads
Forgive me.
They were better but I won instead.
so and so .
I have forty-three
children
that were all
obese
and which
you were probably
wondering
how it came to be
Forgive me
they were eaten
so fast
and so free.
I have known
the silhouettes
that were born in
loving duets
And which
You were probably
Thinking
I'd forget
Forgive me
They were temperate
So summery
and so delicate
After some epic responses, the winner is... sheep1215 for their story:
I have lived though a summer made
Of lead paint; humid hours
That were salted with sweat and fatal
To taste, days that stained my hands and never wiped clean.
And which
You were probably
Occupying with your own painted beaches,
Your tan-dyed skin, non-toxic and bright; but my days—
Forgive me
They were like tainted building blocks, that left me
So tediously stacked
And so easily ruined.