Ask the Author: Hilary King

Hilary King evokes William Carlos Williams in the February issue. She talks with us about how that poet might react, theories about the original and its imitations, and interoffice romance.

1. How would William Carlos Williams react after reading your rendition of “This Is Just To Say”?

I imagine he might be appalled, then chagrined, but hopefully, eventually slightly gratified that his work endures, and indeed continues to travel so far. Then he’d be appalled again.

2. Give us a theory why the original is so parodied.

The original inspires so many parodies, and tributes, because it is simple, classic, elegant and above all effective. It was instantly recognizable as soon as it was published, like the invention of something everybody needed.

3. What noun would you replace with “boy”? What would be the result?

You could replace the word “boy” with just about anything that elicits a strong response and that thing will begin the poem’s story. For example: knife, ocean, laughter. What to replace plums with would make a great parlor game or magazine contest (hint, hint).

4. How dangerous is inter-office romance? Does bragging about it make it worse?

All romance is dangerous. Tossing it into the airless, paper-filled box of office life makes it flammable. Bragging about it is the act of lighting the match, and of course there are many people who love nothing better than a fire.

5. Why would any one save having sex with someone else for the summer? Wouldn’t winter be a better season to have sex during?

What could be sweeter and more delicious than a summer fling? Only thinking about a summer fling is more sweet, more delicious.

6. What did he taste like?

The skin of a plum.