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Today, on November 7th, 2009, the site contains 196 poets, 8,692 poems and 7,542 comments.
Analysis and comments on The Mower by Philip Larkin

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Comment 11 of 11, added on November 6th, 2009 at 5:44 AM.
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Comment 10 of 11, added on November 5th, 2009 at 10:15 AM.
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Comment 9 of 11, added on July 10th, 2009 at 9:13 AM.

This poem was first published in "Humberside", the magazine of the Hull Literary Club, Autumn 1979.
I used the poem's ending for an article I wrote for "About Larkin", the journal of the Philip Larkin Society, No.22, October 2006,describing a commemoration of the life of Maeve Brennan, held at Hull University on October 18th 2003. I felt that the words remind us that no matter how much we praise people when they have died we should let them know how much we love them when they are still alive.
Larkin had developed an affection for the hedgehog he accidentally killed. He had photographed it drinking from a saucer in his back garden. Thr photograph is kept in the Hull University archives and appears on the front cover of "About Larkin2 No 22, October 2006.


Ivor Maw
Comment 8 of 11, added on May 23rd, 2006 at 4:23 PM.

Mr. Larkin shows us that we should respect all life. It is strange to me just how much and how little respect humans have for each other and for nature. I guess it all depends on where one is on the food chain.

John Brock from United States
Comment 7 of 11, added on March 13th, 2006 at 11:37 AM.

The accomplished simplicity of this poem is stunning-it's beauty and profundity lie not in obscure references, but in an honest message honestly expressed. For me, the lack of pretension and directness of feeling are what make it so affecting.

Strawbonnaire from France
Comment 6 of 11, added on October 27th, 2005 at 3:34 AM.

I am reading this poem for a much loved colleague at his funeral service. It is particularly appropriate for a loving man and reflects his sensitivity for those not so able to defend themselves.

Rod Foord from Australia
Comment 5 of 11, added on October 2nd, 2005 at 6:53 PM.

A friend sent me this poem and I was quite moved. Given a collective sadness due to the disaster recently visited on our gulf region, I opened a college class I teach by reading it. Several students teared up. I hope that is testimony how powerful Larkin's sentiment is for humans generally.

Bob Vander Beek from United States
Comment 4 of 11, added on September 16th, 2005 at 7:45 PM.

it is simply a beautiful poem which pierced my heart like an arrow in a bulls-eye. thank you mr. larkin.

laurence from United States
Comment 3 of 11, added on August 9th, 2005 at 4:46 PM.

it is beautiful. I intend to read it at the memorial service of a beautiful friend

stephen from United States
Comment 2 of 11, added on May 31st, 2005 at 5:24 PM.

like the previous commentator, Lyn, I too heard this poem on the Parkinson show. Tom Courtney read it so well and with feeling.
I particularly like it because Larkin recounts his sadness at the death of a fellow creature. The end of any life, regardless of the species is sad and larkin acknowledges this and doesn't belittle the existance of such a small creature. It touches the soul.

maureen Crowley from United Kingdom

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Information about The Mower

Poet: Philip Larkin
Poem: The Mower
Year: 1979
Added: Feb 20 2003
Viewed: 6423 times


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