High Windows - A poem by Philip Larkin

Philip Larkin - High Windows

When I see a couple of kids
And guess he's fucking her and she's
Taking pills or wearing a diaphragm,
I know this is paradise

Everyone old has dreamed of all their lives--
Bonds and gestures pushed to one side
Like an outdated combine harvester,
And everyone young going down the long slide

To happiness, endlessly. I wonder if
Anyone looked at me, forty years back,
And thought, That'll be the life;
No God any more, or sweating in the dark

About hell and that, or having to hide
What you think of the priest. He
And his lot will all go down the long slide
Like free bloody birds. And immediately

Rather than words comes the thought of high windows:
The sun-comprehending glass,
And beyond it, the deep blue air, that shows
Nothing, and is nowhere, and is endless.

Added: on May 7th, 2009 at 8:55 PM | Viewed: 36464 times | Comments (39)

High Windows - Comments and Information
Poet: Philip Larkin Poem: High Windows Poem of the Day on: Nov 1 2003 Comment 39 of 39, added on December 30th, 2009 at 4:16 PM. I loved it Hello!!! www.poetryconnection.net is one of the best resourceful websites of its kind. I enjoy reading it every day. Keep it that way. bad credit loans from United States Comment 38 of 39, added on June 1st, 2009 at 7:10 AM. When I read the poem I was a bit upset! well, I personally think that when Larkin talks about the couple of kids making sex, is refering to the changes in the society, after the Second World War: religious changes, social changes and above all, cultural ones. In the 2 stanza, he refers to the old generations that cannot appreciate the feedom of the youth, of the new generation anymore because they had a lot of bonds and thresholds! Are also important the last 2 stanzas when he talks about God who doesn't exist anymore, the priest who lost his importance and he cannot be a guide for human being!Both are like free bloody birds! The HIGH WINDOWS in the last part of the poem, can be the a kind of telescope through that we can see and undestand a lot of things, and behind these windows, there is the deep blue air, the knowledge! That's my personal opinion! LAURA from Italy Comment 37 of 39, added on May 7th, 2009 at 8:55 PM. I think in the poam "Toads" by Philip Larkin is his way of complaining about his life. The "Toads" in his life I beleive are work, lack of money, and something "inside himself" is either his lack of charm or his unfortuanate appearance (look up the picture). Basically this is a poem about his resentment of his life. I don't know I think it's a stupid poem and isn't worth reading, but unfortuantly my English teacher diagrees. ' Courtney from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, High Windows, has received 39 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Philip Larkin with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!

Poem Info
High Windows Last read: 2010-02-09 13:11:58 Poem of the Day on: Nov 1 2003 Viewed 36464 times. Added on May 7th, 2009 at 8:55 PM.

Larkin Info
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