William Carlos Williams

William Carlos Williams’ poetry is written very simplistically and yet it is more meaningful and beautiful than most poetry that is written in complex verse intended to mean much more than the words on the paper. The images that Williams creates in his poetry are what draw me into the poetry and allow me to find power and meaning in every word. I think it is much more interesting when 10 words can say more than 100, which is exactly how I view Williams’ poems.

Three of the poems we have discussed in class, I feel demonstrate Williams’ capability to say so much and share so much emotion with so few words. These poems include, “This is Just to Say”, “The Red Wheelbarrow” and “The Great Figure”. When reading these poems the reader is drawn into the scenes depicted by Williams and his choice verse. Not only am I the reader drawn into the scene, but I also feel the surrounding emotions and settings.

In the poem, “This is Just to Say” not only can I picture the plums, but I can almost taste the juice on my lips and feel that sense of warmth and happiness that the plums brought the subject of the poem. This poem is not only funny, but also filling. “The Red Wheelbarrow” also demonstrates how a simple tool or subject can take on such meaningful form. The opening lines, I feel, definitely set the mood and emotion of the poem. From the get go I am able to see and fee the underlying importance and need for the simple things in life. As simple as a wheelbarrow is, it is a very helpful and powerful tool that can make life much easier. Going along with the color red, the poem, “The Great Image” also depicts a very strong image of the red fire engine on its way to fire. The blurring of the engine that Williams depicts shows the urgency and need for those powerful and trustworthy aspects of life, much like that in the Red Wheelbarrow. This creates much emotion in the scene as well as in the reader.

Williams’ poetry demonstrates a great deal of emotion and meaningful imagery despite the lack of words. I feel that in the long run, his poetry is stronger as a result.