Philip Larkin
1922-1985
This be the verse
by Philip Larkin
They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
They may not mean to, but they do.
They fill you with 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.
The Most Revolutionary Act 
It is explained so much better in the book of Genesis.
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Interesting point, marblenecltr.
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Reblogged this on | truthaholics.
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Well they do fuck us up BUT it is our job to awaken to our shit and correct it. And if you don’t you can’t blame them!
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I totally agree, Tube. I don’t really detect any blame in the poem, though. I think Larkin is describing the human condition.
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I think you need to have a sad life to be a good poet. The only times I’ve written a poem I thought was half-way ok has been when I’ve been sad or a bit depressed.
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Excellent point, Alan. All the poets I’ve known personally have been pretty depressed.
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