Poem of the week - #2 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mephisto2 · 11-23-2003, 03:43 PM

Here's a slightly more controversial one...

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

What does this poem do for you?
Do you empathise with its tone?
Does it remind you of anything or affect you emotionally?
Do you like the way it sounds?
Finally, and most importantly, do you like it?

Discuss.

Mr Mephisto

sexymama · 11-23-2003, 06:39 PM

It is true -- our parents "fuck" us up and we "fuck" up our kids. But I believe most parents do the best they can and no one means to mess up their kids. Look up the bright side, our parents give us a good excuse for therapy - lol.

Mephisto2 · 11-23-2003, 07:00 PM

Notwithstanding the fact that I have a great relationship with my folks, I love this poem. I know several people who can relate to it directly.

I especially like the imagery and the last two lines really seem to pack a punch. Kinda depressing, really...

:-)

Mr Mephisto

SparklingDot · 11-23-2003, 11:01 PM

Awesome poem. Try as they might, they still screw us over. I look at my parents and say "Wow, that's what I've been influenced by my whole life... Dang." Yes, I love my parents, but they are screwy and they know it.

11-23-2003, 03:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Poem of the week - #2 Here's a slightly more controversial one... 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 What does this poem do for you? Do you empathise with its tone? Does it remind you of anything or affect you emotionally? Do you like the way it sounds? Finally, and most importantly, do you like it? Discuss. Mr Mephisto

11-23-2003, 06:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
sexymama My own person -- his by choice Location: Lebell's arms	It is true -- our parents "fuck" us up and we "fuck" up our kids. But I believe most parents do the best they can and no one means to mess up their kids. Look up the bright side, our parents give us a good excuse for therapy - lol. __________________ If you can go deeply into lovemaking, the ego disappears. That is the beauty of lovemaking, that it is another source of a glimpse of god It's not about being perfect; it's about developing some skill at managing imperfection.

11-23-2003, 11:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
SparklingDot Insane	Awesome poem. Try as they might, they still screw us over. I look at my parents and say "Wow, that's what I've been influenced by my whole life... Dang." Yes, I love my parents, but they are screwy and they know it. __________________ 17 seconds is all you really need - Smashing Pumpkins

11-23-2003, 07:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Notwithstanding the fact that I have a great relationship with my folks, I love this poem. I know several people who can relate to it directly. I especially like the imagery and the last two lines really seem to pack a punch. Kinda depressing, really... :-) Mr Mephisto