This is Just to Say

This Is Just to Say
by William Carlos Williams

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

Periodically, I rediscover the fact that I don't like plums. What I like is the idea of plums: the sugarplum fairy, plum pudding and visions of sugarplums, and the pleasure of saying the word plum. Plum plum plum plum...

The Word Plum
by Helen Chasin

The word plum is delicious
pout and plush, luxury of
self-love, and savoring murmur

full in the mouth and falling
like fruit

taut skin
pierced, bitten, provoked into
juice, and tart flesh

question
and reply, lip and tongue
of pleasure.