"An Arundel Tomb" by Philip Larkin (poetry reading)

[moirasmith]

'They tuck you up, your mum and dad'???? Do leave off ... 'An Arundel Tomb' is very beautiful and pure .. the other poem referred to (with correct spelling) shows the other, irreverent, side of Larkin. Which endeared him just as much to his readers. I understand that PL was asked to be Poet Laureate, but refused: Ted Hughes (just as deserving) accepted.

To me they are both among the major 20thC poets (there are others, quite a few, what an era). But Larkin is certainly very special.

[SpokenVerse]

@moirasmith They tuck you up, your mum and dad, They read you Peter Rabbit, too. They give you all the treats they had And add some extra just for you. They were tucked up when they were small, (Pink perfume, blue tobacco-smoke), By those whose kiss healed any fall, Whose laughter doubted any joke. Man hands on happiness to man, It deepens like a coastal shelf. So love your parents all you can And have some cheerful kids yourself. Unusual to meet somebody so authoritarian about poetry.

[moirasmith]

@SpokenVerse

You wrote "Unusual to meet somebody so authoritarian about poetry. " I just happen to like and admire Philip Larkin a great deal.

Your version's fun. But I am quoting the actual words (They fuck you up, your Mum and Dad) that IMHO most people remember and enjoy the most of all.

Is not PL remembered and beloved precisely because of this sort of thing, as well as for 'Whitsun Weddings', 'An Arundel Tomb', 'Dockery and Son', etc?

(PS Like your version, though.)

[SpokenVerse]

@moirasmith I have recorded all the poems you mention. On my channel page, put the name - any quotation might work - into the box marked "Search Uploads". Or go to Playlists and choose Larkin.

It was Adrian Mitchell who wrote the poem above. I'm glad you didn't mind me pulling your leg.

[moirasmith]

@SpokenVerse

Leg pulled very successfully :) Familiar with Adrian Mitchell (one of the Liverpool Poets of the 60s) but this must have been written after I got really old cos I didn't recognise it;(

I will look out for your other postings; Philip Larkin is truly one of my fave 20th C poets ... in fact, casting more widely than 20thC (ie even excluding D Thomas and Yeats) I'm starting to think in my old age it's PL v Donne. xx

[joez181]

Who is the reader, please?

[SpokenVerse]

@joez181 Me, Tom O'Bedlam. I read everything in this SpokenVerse Channel

[eversley19]

I love this poem; thank you so much.

[searcherboy]

One of the best English poems of the past 100 years. Thanks.

[mudvaynechick]

I've missed your readings!

[sanbarranbau]

It's great to have you back!!!!!

[brechd]

You're back - yay!

And with one of my favourite poems to boot.