[Duncan Gillies MacLaurin]

From http://www.poetryclass.net/lessonb.htm

"I recently heard a recording of William Carlos Williams reading 'This is Just to Say', after which he was challenged by an interviewer who asked what makes this a poem, as it is the kind of thing that anyone might say. William Carlos Williams responded by saying that people do not believe that poetry can exist 'in their own life'."

Does anyone know which recording this refers to?

Duncan

[Roger Slater]

Many different readings by WCW are set out here:
http://writing.upenn.edu/pennsound/x/Williams-WC.html

This includes many readings of "This is just to say," though I haven't found the language you are looking for. This one comes closest, though it's cut off just before WCW might have said what you report he said:
http://media.sas.upenn.edu/pennsound/authors/Wi lliams-WC/07_Van-Nuys_11-16-50/Williams-WC_07_This-is-Just_Van-Nuys_11-16-50.mp3



[This message has been edited by Roger Slater (edited February 16, 2008).]

[Duncan Gillies MacLaurin]

Thanks, Roger!

I've now learnt that the quote comes from the interview with John W. Gerber in June 1950.

Duncan