[FOsen]

Here.

Hope some of our Brits will comment on the show and that it will be available on Youtube sometime.

Frank

[Brian Watson]

I hope it's better than the recent Hughes discovery.

And I hope it's filthy.

[Jayne Osborn]

Hi Frank,

I'll try to remember to watch it on Tuesday night, and report back.

[Steve Bucknell]

Yes, it's an excellent poem.
Yes, it's filthy.

It's a companion-piece to "Posterity".

Larkin gave it to Betty and told her she'd be able to make some money on it when he'd gone. Also sent her very touching Christmas cards and Valentines. An example to us all.

[Richard Meyer]

How do we go about seeing the poem? Will it appear in print for us to access?

[Steve Bucknell]

Last night I made my own copy of Larkin’s unpublished poem “Dear Jake”. It took a while, pausing, replaying and peering at portions of the typed page as it appeared and was whisked away by the saintly hands of Andrew Motion. An offending word in the poem is censored on the film and bleeped out as the poem is read out; a nice 1950’s touch.

The poem is a companion-piece to “Posterity”, continuing the fun poked by Larkin at his posthumous reputation, and a touching gift to his secretary and lover Betty Mackereth. It’s a typical Larkin mix of cynicism and deep feeling. The poem looks at his life through the eyes of “Jake”, describing Larkin’s love affair as “the last singular comic episode/ in which four lives were fractured by affection,” and characterising Larkin as “an old goat.” The last three lines sound a more touching, personal note:

“Well, it was singular; but, looking back
Only what men do get, if they are lucky.
But when it came there was no thought of age.”

Larkin told Betty “This is for you. You can sell it later on.” The late lyrics Larkin wrote to Betty are gentle and hesitantly affirmative. This is already published :

We met at the end of the party
When all the drinks were dead
And all the glasses dirty:
'Have this that's left', you said.

We walked through the last of summer,
When shadows reached long and blue
Across days that were growing shorter:
You said: 'There's autumn too'.

Always for you what's finished
Is nothing, and what survives
Cancels the failed, the famished.
As if we had fresh lives

From that night on, and just living
Could make me unaware
Of June and the guests arriving
And I not there.

[Rory Waterman]

Steve,

Would you mind posting here the copy you made of 'Dear Jake'? Would be much appreciated.

The best thing about the entire programme was when Motion told Betty that she was 'sexy'. Perhaps we just have different tastes. They tried to make out that the Betty/PL relationship was a scoop, but of course it's been known about for the best part of twenty years. I didn't think the poem was all that wonderful, but of course it is interesting.

Rory

[Ann Drysdale]

Not sure whether you can get this across the pond - but here's the programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00wcqvb

Hurry - only five days left to watch!

[Steve Bucknell]

Rory,

Don't know if I should post text of Dear Jake; it is not in the public domain or on the internet. I am happy to PM anyone who is interested ( your PM box is full Rory). Any advice? Steve.

[Rory Waterman]

Oh, Merrycans can't see BBC things on iplayer. (Though Jake is an American, of course.)

Steve, inbox clear. Sorry.