This is Just to Say

I am writing
from Nairobi
in East Africa
where we're all from

and each day here
has twelve hours
of light and warmth

Forgive me
if I don't want to return
to the cold

Poems for Potatoes and Plums

This is just to say

I have written 

more than

one poem

to read.

and this

you will probably

find so

very tedious.

Forgive me

they were amusing

so light

and so fun.

This is just to say

I have cut-out

the photo

that was on 

the front page.

The one

with the Chinese Statue

but you

will never know

you never 

read the newspaper.

Too much

bad news.

This is just to say

the kiss

that was on

your red lips

hovering

and beckoning

me to

capture it

was worth a

wakening you

so sweet,

not sorry.

(To my Editor)

This is just to say

I have painted

the pictures

you saw in

the book dummy.

but know

they are probably

different

from what you imagined.

Forgive me

I am helpless.

Victim

to the paint.

This Is Just To Say

We have appropriated
the motif
of your poem
for our blog

ten potatoes
offering variations
on your singular
eloquence

Forgive us
this sincerest
form of
flattery

This is just to say...

I have eaten
the pot roast
that you left
on the counter.

It was oh so close to the edge.
And the smell,
ah, that smell.
It will stay on my whiskers for days.

Please forgive me.
I am a very bad dog,
and I am doing my best
to look sorry.