These poems have a very down-to-earth and modest clarity, in the way they describe such ordinary events and lives with beauty and sympathy. Larkin's observations make the ordinary seem extraordinary. The poem 'The Whitsun Weddings' describes a train journey from Hull (I think) to London, on a hot Saturday, where at each passing station, newlyweds are boarding the train and the wedding parties waving them off. It describes the common, ordinary details of weddings: the emotion, the gaudy outfits, the embarrassing family, but also the strangely epic nature of marriage and the course it sets people on together: 'this frail/ Travelling coincidence; and what it held/ Stood ready to be loosed with all the power/ That being changed can give.'
My copy, frustratingly, has the page with 'Talking in Bed' missing, so I've had to read that elsewhere, and I like to think that it was carefully taken out and gifted to someone, & maybe it even saved a relationship. ( )

I studied this collection of poetry for the first year of my A level and despite initial reluctance, I found myself enjoying the colourful language and distinctive imagery.
The poems describe a variety of experiences, ranging from the graduation into old age to the impossibility of love.
Many critics accuse Larkin's work of unrelentless pessimism and I would be inclined to suggest that this is apparent amongst this collection aswell as his previous collection, The Less Decieved.
However, this is almost part of Larkin's charm and often helps to emphasise the emotional aspects of either his life or one of his characters.
Personally, I would recommend this book to others who enjoy reading for reflections of life, or if you are intrigued to learn more about the poet, Larkin.
There are many sites which allow you to access his poetry for a taster and I highly recommend: Arundel Tomb, Afternoons, The Whitsun Weddings, Love songs In Age and Mr Bleaney.
Thanks
Lucy ( )

I'm not really a big fan of poems but had to study this... better than Dannie Abse which I also had to study. ( )