Wednesday, September 26, 2007

They fuck you up

'.... your prod and ed.
They may not mean to but they do.'

Apologies to P Larkin lol. Full poem below.

Philip Larkin - This Be The Verse

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


One of the most ironic poems of all time. Because everything a writer does should be a kid to them. Something that means the world to you. If it doesn't then get off the fucking bus.

The poem itself? meh. Love the first act.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ello Dave,

Smashing blog, I am a mediocre writer with negligible talent, yet more than capable of hack writing, however I am very, very good-looking. I was wondering would it be at all possible for me to sleep my way to the top? If it works for other professions why not writing too? Any advice would be much advised.

Oliver

Anonymous said...

On a serious point I know a lot of writers/producers/directors who quite willingly 'give it up' to get a little further up the ladder. It's a fact of life, writers are prostitutes touting for business and we all do it, even if we don't admit it.

Black Sally

Anonymous said...

Finally an explanation for Sally Wainwright's career!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I think the revised verse, in full, goes something like...

They fuck you up, your prod and ed.
They may not mean to but they do.
They'll highlight all the flaws you've had
Then add some new ones; one, or two.
But they were fucked up in their turn
By old script-eds, and big execs
Who half the time would wine and dine
And half the time would wring their necks.
Man hands on misery to man
It deepens like the coastal shelf
Leave the room quick as you can-
And keep your comments to yourself.

Anonymous said...

Apparently you can only sleep your way to the middle.

JB

English Dave said...

lol funny and serious. Thanks for the comments guys. Love the poem Richard. And definitely agree with the last stanza!

Lucy V said...

I am more than willing to sleep with everybody.

Oh, that's just for fun - for a job too! Bargain.

Anonymous said...

while Holmes knocked a blaze out of the logs in the grate.

"Now, my dear Hopkins, draw up and warm your toes," said he. "Here's a cigar, and the doctor has a prescription containing hot water and a lemon, which is good medicine on a night like this. It must be something important which has brought you out in such a gale."

"It is indeed, Mr. Holmes. I've had a bustling afternoon, I promise you. Did you see anything of the Yoxley case in the latest editions?"

"I've seen nothing later than the fifteenth century to-day."
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