We learned about William Carlos Williams earlier this week and wrote our own 16 word poems (I wrote about it here). Today we returned to WCW and studied his apology poem: This is Just to Say. I also read a few poems from Joyce Sidman’s collection of the same name. Even though the first graders in my class have been writing poems all month, stretching to write a poem of apology was challenging for many of them. They definitely knew how to say they were sorry–but that “tongue in cheek” sort of “sorry not sorry” approach eluded many of them.

With some coaching, we started to get there. Here are a couple of examples:

B wrote to his mom.

For Mom

This is just to say

I’m sorry I didn’t want to play in the baseball game

I just was as tired as a bear in winter

But it was fun playing baseball

Please forgive me mom

And this student wrote to her sister

I am sorry I came on your bed

and gave it a caterpillar look

I just wanted to give you a hug

like two bears in a cuddle

It might make me feel better

Another wrote to basketball

For Basketball

This is just to say

I’m sorry I haven’t made a shot yet.

Today stuff kept getting in my head

and I couldn’t get it out

It was like a milkshake was getting in my head

My mind said “you can do this” but

my head said I’m a brick

My own attempt was related to our first grade performance at this morning’s assembly where students sang Jimmy Buffett’s Cheeseburger in Paradise.

For Jimmy Buffett

This is just to say

I’m sorry our singing

was a bit off key

We were excited and nervous

twitching like hiccups

dressed in our cheeseburger hats and guitars

Your songs are so catchy

so fun and filled with energy

We just had to dance

and shout out with glee!