Tex Talks Poetry - The Mower by Philip Larkin

[@uroghai3439]

This one hurts. But it's a damn good poem, because it's true. It's all too easy to find yourself alive when someone you care for isn't, and feel like "I should've been kinder." Been there and done that more than once.

[@PeachDragon_]

Tex i just want you to know that you gave a young man like me a passion for poetry after a life of shunning it. Thank you

[@faryn3687]

Yea, this one I felt ...

[@FaceIntoKeyboard]

Years ago, when I still lived at my childhood home, I was in the back yard mowing, not unlike in the poem. At one point, I was walking and about to turn back when something caught my attention in the corner of my eye. There was a tiny baby bunny, frozen just off the path I had walked. I had apparently missed the little thing by maybe a few inches. I picked up a wide flat stick, and nudged it a bit, just to see if it would run away. No, it remained frozen in terror. I left it there and moved inside, letting it recover. I never saw it again, but always made sure to beat the grass a bit, just in case.

[@infodump-withallib4385]

I feel like I am finally back up on my feet after the untimely death of my younger brother in September. This poem is perfect for how I feel, and I feel at peace, now. I am glad we did not part ways with bad blood. While I miss him dearly, I am glad that his final thoughts of me were positive.

[@alexjonezNH]

No matter what darkness comes to you for the rest of your days, you'll be able to think back and know that someone very important to you went on their journey with positive thoughts of you in mind, and nothing in this world can change that, and nobody can take that from you 😊

[@ResaFMkII]

I think this is my favourite of the poems you've recited. The loss of nature and people it speaks to.

[@NexPaciscor]

It's got some bite to it! Well chosen!

[@tumbleweed1551]

I once was mowing, and 4 baby rabbits suddenly sprinted away in absolute terror. One ran face first into my house wall, falling into the pit. Their siblings darted under the fence. I took pity on the small creature, and though I tried not to grab it, I eventually took it in my hand, felt its beating heart in terror. I released it with a smile, watching it run away without a limp. Then, I saw their 5th sibling under the mower. It had died instantly. That was my relief. And I live my life thinking about that. If I had mowed the grass more consistently. If I had not allowed it to grow so tall. I find it hard to live in ignorance, lest I step on something so small and harmless once again.

[@darkhymn]

Thanks, Tex. Poignant and well delivered.

[@vonmulch]

One of my favorites, delivered with gravitas. Thank you, Tex.

[@Disgruntled_Dave]

I just experienced a betrayal by a close friend. The reading of this poem was perfectly timed. Tex, you've made a very dark day a little bit easier for me to endure and I thank you for it.

[@shadeofsound23]

I used to write, but stopped after I thought it was too silly. Maybe now it's no longer too silly, even if I'm only writing for myself.

[@thumb-ugly7518]

I like it. Writing for myself is rewarding and useful. I have terrible memory. It’s simultaneously a trip down memory lane and exploration, when I read once more.

[@rentaspoon219]

Poetic

[@TerribleHeresy]

Ironic considering this hedgehog had a famous cousin with a well known catchphrase. "Gotta mow grass!"

[@Teyanis]

These are so damn well done. Hats off.

[@HedgehogBC]

Well....THAT was unexpectedly poignant... Amazing job as always!

[@chadreese9501]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@Lord_Victis]

Thanks Tex, words for us all

[@spacefork7296]

This is why i have an old school push mower. They don't stall.

[@rakninja]

this kind of encapsulates my life after i got out of the service.

[@caffeinefueledraccoon5687]

Damn!!! I just woke up and wanted to check how the Christmas dump is going... I didn't expect this..

[@Vulmada]

oooof......this hit hard

[@DaltonAcosta_AmarasStory]

Kind, while there is still time.

[@9365fall]

Hell yeah

[@JackReven]

Agreed

[@PrinceAlhorian]

Why does this feel like some ordained warning from a higher power? I think I'm going to give my parents a call, just in case. Thanks again for the poetry Tex, always much appreciated.

[@KrawmKruach]

if only more of us where just a bit kinder to those around us.

[@sebastianthomsen2225]

😔 indeed we shall.🦔

[@jfraz6246]

damn

[@GrugWantRock]

Mmmm. This one Grug get. Moral literally spelled out. Be kind. Pay attention. Try avoid destroy each other lives. It easy make mistake, but can be impossible undo. It a good moral.

[@andrewballard3316]

Ive written verse, awful verse. But ive never wanted to throw up quite so strongly as the final line and its finality. Its a great poem, its not fine art, but Maslow would agree with me...

[@jonbauml225]

Sad

[@Draggoon33]

T-T

[@cliffnpaige2009]

Feelsbadman

[@miinyoo]

Good poetry is a short story. Slam poetry is larping. Coffee house poetry is miserable people with nothing better to do than wallow in their dispassionate misery.