Summary

The website content discusses a series of parodies and online reactions centered around the poem "This Is Just To Say" by William Carlos Williams, particularly focusing on the theme of fruit theft and the presence of these parodies across various platforms, including Twitter and personal blogs.

Abstract

The web content delves into the cultural phenomenon of internet users creating and sharing parodies of William Carlos Williams' poem "This Is Just To Say," often in the context of a character known as "The Scoundrel" who steals fruit and leaves apologetic notes. The article traces the history and current status of these parodies, noting the loss of some due to changes on platforms like Twitter and the preservation of others through archival efforts like the Internet Archive. It highlights specific instances of these parodies, such as those found on Jezebel, McSweeney’s, and personal blogs, and reflects on the impact of the original poem, which has become a "posthumous Twitter sensation." The content also touches on the poignant reality of the original creators' passing and the lasting legacy of their work on the internet.

Opinions

The author finds the parodies of William Carlos Williams' poem to be amusing and noteworthy, particularly in the context of internet culture.
There is an appreciation for the longevity and adaptability of the poem "This Is Just To Say," as evidenced by its continued relevance and the proliferation of parodies.
The author expresses a sense of loss for parodies that have disappeared from the internet, emphasizing the importance of digital preservation.
A nod is given to the Internet Archive's role in attempting to preserve online content, with a call to donate to the cause.
The author reflects on the mortality of content creators, acknowledging the unexpected news of a blogger's passing and the bittersweet nature of their contributions living on through their blog.
There is a clear recognition of the original poem's simplicity and its transformation into a complex, interactive meme within the digital landscape.

Felon Filches Figs

Originally a Tumblr link, this is what it says today

So many parodies gone, like plums from an icebox. Time to Donate to Internet Archive

That Jezebel link

This Is Just To Say: William Carlos Williams, a Posthumous Twitter Sensation

In 1934, William Carlos Williams wrote a poem that was very simple. It was less a poem and more a brief apology, the…

jezebel.com

Cool URIs don’t ever change, Jezebel.

Which amusingly enough, not all the parodies are there anymore, many are not found because the were originally posted on the service formerly known as Twitter.

But at this point I can still see there is one up above stealing kryptonite from the batcave, which I shall now quote tweet — like so!:

The article referenced above is still there, still full of swiped goodies, at McSweeney’s!

This is Just to Say That I'm Tired of Sharing an Apartment With William Carlos Williams

Will, you are a dick. You're goddamn right I was saving those plums for breakfast. Fine, it's not like they're my…

www.mcsweeneys.net

One of our first “So Much Depends” parodies, parodying another well-known William Carlos Williams poem “A Red Wheelbarrow”, this one from A Haven For Vee, which is still there

So Much Depends...

so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain beside the white chickens William Carlos Williams Poetry 101…

ahavenforvee.blogspot.com

Which I thought was great until I went to the front page of the blog

This is Abby from Little Birdie Blessings, with some news about our dear friend Vee. On Sunday, July 23, 2023, Vee peacefully left this earth for her Heavenly reward. For four years, she valiantly fought the battle of breast cancer, until the Lord called her home. Her family has provided a link to her obituary below.

I guess the scoundrel has been stealing fruit long enough that this is bound to happen still an unexpected news. I do like that her blog is still there.

Another 404, with a really nice design and message

And unfortunately the Internet Archive couldn’t help in this case either

Well that was the end of this round of fruit-theft, thanks to that greedy little rapscallion — The Scoundrel

Previous Scoundrel Steals Fruit — And insincere Apologies Articles

Tamarinds Taken! August 2023

The Fruit Stealing Scoundrel returns, takes some Tamarinds says very sorry!

medium.com

Punk Purloins Plums — July 2023

This is republishing some of an old Illuminati Ganga Visualization Project — The Fruit Stealing Scoundrel — a bot that…

medium.com

Fruit-stealing scoundrel has returned!

That Scoundrel who steals fruit and apologizes profusely like so much depended on it has come back from finding out…

medium.com