For Sidney Bechet - A poem by Philip Larkin

Philip Larkin - For Sidney Bechet

That note you hold, narrowing and rising, shakes
Like New Orleans reflected on the water,
And in all ears appropriate falsehood wakes,

Building for some a legendary Quarter
Of balconies, flower-baskets and quadrilles,
Everyone making love and going shares--

Oh, play that thing! Mute glorious Storyvilles
Others may license, grouping around their chairs
Sporting-house girls like circus tigers (priced

Far above rubies) to pretend their fads,
While scholars manqués nod around unnoticed
Wrapped up in personnels like old plaids.

On me your voice falls as they say love should,
Like an enormous yes.  My Crescent City
Is where your speech alone is understood,

And greeted as the natural noise of good,
Scattering long-haired grief and scored pity.

Added: on June 9th, 2006 at 3:44 AM | Viewed: 7070 times | Comments (6)

For Sidney Bechet - Comments and Information
Poet: Philip Larkin Poem: For Sidney Bechet Volume: The Whitsun Weddings Year: Published/Written in 1954 Poem of the Day on: Jun 18 2004 Comment 6 of 6, added on January 27th, 2009 at 8:56 AM. @hayley: Dont forget that some Jazz "moans". Some of it is played to complain. So Larkin might just describe what he believes the musician is trying to say. @Alastair: 'Others may license, grouping around their chairs/Sporting-house girls like circus tigers (priced/Far above rubies)" Maybe this refers to New Orleans as a sin city. "license" could be read as related to alcohol, the girls could be hookers, expensive ones. It could also refer again to the musicians. They group around their chairs: Maybe the owner of the place put chairs on the stage for the Jazzmen but as they play they jump up and live their music. Between them: the chairs. There are a million ways of reading Larkin. The only thing to remember is that he drafted a lot and carefully thought every word over. So, there must be sense in it somewhere. The question is if we find the interpretation Larkin had in mind... ;-) Marty from Germany Comment 5 of 6, added on September 30th, 2008 at 7:18 AM. This is really more of a question than a comment. I love the poem - typically striking that balance between an impulse for joy and passion and the melancholy that those things are only imaginary for him... but I don't understand the part 'Others may license, grouping around their chairs/Sporting-house girls like circus tigers (priced/Far above rubies) to pretend their fads'. It's partly the syntax - how does someone 'pretend' a 'fad'? And is 'license' the verb, as in 'allow'? And are they 'allowing' the sporting-house girls to do... what? Can anyone throw some light on this? Alastair Alastair Trevill from United Kingdom Comment 4 of 6, added on June 9th, 2006 at 3:44 AM. I think that this line is just perfect. It describes exactly how you feel when an experience such as listening to your favorite piece of music reaches your senses. I love getting enormous yeses! Abel from United Kingdom More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, For Sidney Bechet, has received 6 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
For Sidney Bechet Volume: The Whitsun Weddings Year: Published/Written in 1954 Last read: 2009-11-20 22:27:04 Poem of the Day on: Jun 18 2004 Viewed 7070 times. Added on June 9th, 2006 at 3:44 AM.

Larkin Info
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