On Philip Larkin.

The Times of London has an article on Philip Larkin’s poem ‘This Be The Verse’ with comments on it from various people.

This Be The Verse.

They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to but they do.
They pass on all the faults they had
And add some extra, just for you.

But they were fucked up in their turn,
By fools in old style hats and coats,
Who half the time were soppy stern
And half at one another’s throats.

Man hands on misery to man
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can
And don’t have any kids yourself.

Many interesting comments but I think this one I like best.

Pamela Marre

I read Philip Larkin’s poem to my brother and my mother.

“If one of my children wrote that,” said my mother, “I would really act up. They’d certainly have me to contend with.”

“We do have you to contend with,” I thought. “Philip, you’re right.”

“Hmm,” said my brother. “My response is to take that negativity and change it into the opposite. Something like: They pick you up, your mum and dad / They may not have to, but they do. / They fill you with the love they had / And add some extra, just for you.”

“Brilliant!” said my mother. “That’s what you should write, Pamela.”

“Absolute proof of Larkin’s words,” I thought.

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