This Is Just To Say
William Carlos Williams (1883-1963)
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
Cultivating Gratitude
Although quite brief, Williams’ poem about some impossible-to-resist plums has received myriad interpretations. Is it a quickly written note of apology? A pithy explanation that by no means promises that it will not happen again? A meditation on simple quotidian pleasures? Or, perhaps the after thoughts of a sensual night spent with someone who may, or may not, have been his wife? All plausible.
Whatever the intent, there seems to be an indubitable air of gratitude in the last three lines. An appreciation borne out of a sensorial experience that has, at the very least, lasted for long enough to write about it. And perhaps, for the purposes of this column, this is enough, as it has prompted some thoughts on how we all might cultivate a practice of gratitude in our own lives.
There are all kinds of scientific studies that tout the benefits of being grateful, which is good news in the midst of current world affairs. Even the Center for Disease Control and Prevention tells us that gratitude prompts more positive emotions and boosts our physical health. It may even significantly change our brains due to increases in serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that are key players in regulating and stimulating things like mood, sleep, memory, pleasure, and motivation. It might take a little practice, but gratitude is very accessible, and anyone can do it.
So, why not add a little gratitude to your day? List three things you’re grateful for as you pour your coffee in the morning. Keep a gratitude journal and write down a few good things from your day before going to bed. Tell a friend or loved one how much joy they bring to your life. By the way, gratitude often begets gratitude, so don’t be surprised if you get a little back from this last one.
And by all means…eat a plum!
