Welcome to another Crap Poem and once again I’m borrowing an incredibly successful, funny and heart-warming poem by Philip Larkin and amending the words to make another with a similar subject.
This be the verse is a short 3 verse poem about the relationship between children and their parents. It’s kind hearted, but also sharp in it’s wit, and I imagine every word resonates with you as it does with me. If you haven’t read it before I’ve included the original below before my own version.
Why did I chose this poem? As with many elements of my life, it was a series of coincidences that lead me to re-read it an then re-design it. During a therapy session on video call with a CBT specialist we got to the inevitable subject of parents and the impact mine continue to have on my life, despite being dead. We then talked about me trying to avoid the same pitfalls with my own kid, and at this point the therapist talked about the Philip Larkin poem and we laughed an how spot-on he’d got it.
A week later, watching the latest episode of Ted Lasso, I couldn’t believe my ears when the shows premiere landlady, May, started reciting the poem to Ted. I felt it was a sign and a re-write was decided.
Here is the result. I realise it’s nothing compared to Larkins effort, but I hope it raises a smile.
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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.
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This be the verse rewritten by Steph Clark
They fuck you up, your mum and dad.
Do they mean to? I don’t know.
The faults I have are mine alone
Who’s to blame for this shit show?
But they were fucked up in their turn
And I played my part.
‘Cause teenagers are soppy-stern
Sometimes selfish, short on heart.
Man hands on misery to man
But don’t think it’s not worth it
My kid will make the same mistakes
‘Cause I know no one’s perfect
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Thanks for reading 💜
Creative Steph 