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.

Philip Larkin

I was watching Ted Lasso (S03E11) last night, and Mae recited this poem to Ted, as he was clearly having trouble dealing with his mommy issues. I hadn’t heard it before, and thought it was kind of great.

The Poetry Foundation has more on Philip Larkin.