Philip Larkin, along with Alan Bennett and John Betjeman, reassures me that I am not so unusual in my oft pessimistic view of life, of being, of not being. Larkin, in particular, is my poet of choice above all other writers. Many will think he's just a miserable old git, with a passion for words and drinking half a bottle of Sherry before going to work in the library. But, to me, he tells it as he writes it. I just love listening to his readings and his views.
I like Larkin & have several of his books. Great poem! He's sort of the male Sylvia Plath or Anne Sexton...the so-called confessional poets. I often hear folks saying "Hemingway wrote drunk", which is ludicrous. Anyone who's ever written poem, story or novel knows that great writing requires every brain cells to fire adequately.is
Jack of all trades, master of none. Left school at age 14. RAF at age 18. Back to civvy Street in 1956. Went to work as a trainee settler in Sth London credit office, then onto betting shop management in early 1960s. Left to join Customs&Excise in 1972, mainly London, Wales and Southend on Sea. Took early retirement. Moved to the Scottish Borders in 1995 and have loved it!
4 comments:
Philip Larkin, along with Alan Bennett and John Betjeman, reassures me that I am not so unusual in my oft pessimistic view of life, of being, of not being. Larkin, in particular, is my poet of choice above all other writers. Many will think he's just a miserable old git, with a passion for words and drinking half a bottle of Sherry before going to work in the library. But, to me, he tells it as he writes it. I just love listening to his readings and his views.
I like Larkin & have several of his books. Great poem! He's sort of the male Sylvia Plath or Anne Sexton...the so-called confessional poets. I often hear folks saying "Hemingway wrote drunk", which is ludicrous. Anyone who's ever written poem, story or novel knows that great writing requires every brain cells to fire adequately.is
Happy weekend, Philip. xo
Thanks Marion. Agree with you.
Dark and very beautiful Philip, cracking choice, I must look into him more if what Marion says is true, for I love Anne Sexton. x
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