Since we agreed to let the road between us
Fall to disuse,
And bricked our gates up, planted trees to screen us,
And turned all time's eroding agents loose,
Silence, and space, and strangers - our neglect
Has not had much effect.

Leaves drift unswept, perhaps; grass creeps unmown;
No other change.
So clear it stands, so little overgrown,
Walking that way tonight would not seem strange,
And still would be followed. A little longer,
And time would be the stronger,

Drafting a world where no such road will run
From you to me;
To watch that world come up like a cold sun,
Rewarding others, is my liberty.
Not to prevent it is my will's fulfillment.
Willing it, my ailment.

Added: on July 2nd, 2005 at 11:28 PM | Viewed: 6435 times | Comments (2)

Poet: Philip Larkin
Poem: No Road
Volume: XX Poems & The Less Deceived
Year: Published/Written in 1950
Poem of the Day on:
Sep 13 2004

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