Triple Time

Portrait of Philip Larkin
Philip Larkin 1922–1985

This empty street, this sky to blandness scoured, This air, a little indistinct with autumn Like a reflection, constitute the present -- A time traditionally soured, A time unrecommended by event.

But equally they make up something else: This is the furthest future childhood saw Between long houses, under travelling skies, Heard in contending bells -- An air lambent with adult enterprise,

And on another day will be the past, A valley cropped by fat neglected chances That we insensately forbore to fleece. On this we blame our last Threadbare perspectives, seasonal decrease.

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  1. Abel United Kingdom

    I am completely in awe of anyone who has the time to type all of these poems up and with such accuracy and every thing- good effort! But ‘Triple Time’ is not in the collection 'The Whitsun Weddings' is it? Or is it?

  2. Kayleigh United Kingdom ↩ replying to Abel

    Abel, well spotted you are totally right Tripple time isn't in the collection 'The Whitsun Weddings'. I should know i have studied the collection through and through.

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