These poems I’m posting are based on famous verses, this one by Larkin
Contradicting
The Curmudgeon
(This
be the verse, Philip Larkin)
They
fuck you up your mum and dad
So
said that old contrarian
But
Larkin’s error is just so sad
The
poor deluded librarian.
It’s
glib and cheap to blame your folks
For
all the crap that life throws out;
To
say ‘It’s not my fault’ is jokes
However
much you scream and shout.
And
if you feel that out you’ve lucked
With
the only life you’ll ever live
Because,
perchance, they’ve up you fucked
Isn’t it about time to them forgive?
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About TanGental
My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published four books - Dead Flies and Sherry Trifle, My Father and Other Liars, Salisbury Square and Buster & Moo. In addition I have published three anthologies of short stories and a memoir of my mother. More will appear soon. I will try and continue to blog regularly at geofflepard.com about whatever takes my fancy. I hope it does yours too.
These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
Another good one, I have read this one from you too. It makes me smile because it’s so true, as Mike and the Mechanics once sang
“Every generation blames the one before. And all of their frustrations come beating on your door.”…..
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That is such a beautiful song, isn’t it, such poignant regret
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Yes I cry every time I hear it 💜
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Another His Geoffleship classic!
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Kind you are too
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Luckily, I have wonderful parents so I don’t have to worry about this, Geoff.
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I too and while I liked it for his miserable humour it didn’t resonate with me
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Love your Larkin-inspired poem. I totally agree with your closing verse: “Isn’t it about time to them forgive?”
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I wonder why people keep on blamming; of course there are some horrendous situations but for most it feels a bit like an excuse
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The ghost of Yoda hovers over this one. True it is……
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Kind of you it’s to read it
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Especially by the time we become moms and dads ourselves.
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Yes, I wonder if he might have been a touch more sympathetic if he had been a father
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Or his kid would have read him the poem.
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I do love Larkin, but he is definitely a glass empty guy–not half, but completely empty. And yes, once you’re an adult, it’s time to forgive and move on. I like that it’s in the form of a request though–don’t you think…?
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yes, it’s a favourite even if I don’t agree with the tone. He did miserable better than most
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There’s one of his I just love–in The Whitsun Weddings, called First Sight–real, but not gloomed up.
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Yes ! Brilliant ! I love it ! Clever. wit meets homespun philosophy
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You might like to see my version on the same theme- if you haven’t already, of course
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I haven’t and I will!
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