Philip Larkin’s ‘Days’

posted in: Philip Larkin 9
Yes, that is a cow and a puppy. You are welcome. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)
Yes, that is a cow and a puppy. You are welcome. (Thanks, Wikipedia.)

 

Tonight, my friends, we are visited by Philip Larkin. No, not the puppy I’m still dreaming about, but work from the late poet himself. It’s a day for poems and “Days” is one of Larkin’s best, if you can choose bests from a body of work like that.

As for Philip Larkin (aka “Philip Barkin”) the mini-Maltipoo puppy, I sent an email today to a breeder. Don’t get wag your tail just yet, though; there’s still miles to go before I’ll be typing up the ol’ PG while a puppy licks my toe.

I’ve had the chance to revisit my research lately, though, that is true, and I just watched 20 minutes of puppy videos on YouTube. If my desire for Philip is like, a flare-up of some kind, I have officially left remission. I want my puppieeeee.

Anyway, here’s “Days,” as exquisite as the face of a 4-week-old puppy, just in a different, more existential, melancholy way.

Days
by Philip Larkin

What are days for?
Days are where we live.
They come, they wake us
Time and time over.
They are to be happy in:
Where can we live but days?

Ah, solving that question
Brings the priest and the doctor
In their long coats
Running over the fields.
Philip Larkin, “Days ” from Whitsun Weddings. Copyright © Estate of Philip Larkin. Source: Collected Poems (Farrar Straus and Giroux, 2001).

9 Responses

  1. Barb Allen
    | Reply

    As a newcomer to your blog (loving it and you!), I hope I am not overstepping something here, but I would like to encourage you to adopt a shelter dog rather than buy from a breeder. There are puppies, lots of puppies, too many puppies, waiting in shelters for a furever home, and one of them might have your name in his or her eyes. No matter which route you go, a puppy will love you and will have heaven on earth with you. Looking forward to puppy tales!

  2. Jennifer T
    | Reply

    Ditto what Barb Allen said about adopting a shelter dog or puppy.

  3. susan
    | Reply

    I love this poem. TFS

  4. Pamela Keown
    | Reply

    good poem – and a word of caution — Remember, puppies do not stay puppies.

  5. Laure T
    | Reply

    I would also urge you to adopt a shelter dog or puppy. There are far too many in shelters hoping for a new home.

  6. Kathlene
    | Reply

    Get the dog that works for you and your lifestyle Mary!!!

  7. Helen Lewis
    | Reply

    Life is short. Get the puppy you truly desire.

  8. Colleen
    | Reply

    Get a stuffed dog and do all the dog stuff like it is real just to test your self
    Taravel in sickness and health and daily living
    Good luck

  9. Val
    | Reply

    I am very worried that, although you have done your research, you are buying a puppy mill puppy or a puppy bred to be very small which usually results in health problems.
    Adopt don’t shop please.

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