You have reached iGreens.org.uk. In December 2006 we moved to iGreens.org with faster servers and discussion boards. Click here to follow us.
|
You have reached iGreens.org.uk. In December 2006 we moved to iGreens.org with faster servers and discussion boards. Click here to follow us. |
|
Mentioning
my love for Larkin’s poetry to new acquaintances always generates the same
response: “Great poet, but a
terrible man.” The speaker
often goes on: “Wasn’t he a two-timing misogynist, lover of pornography, and
admirer of the Nazi’s?” It
therefore pleased me last week to meet someone with a kinder memory of Larkin. I met John
Ford, also a Librarian, at the British Stammering Association Congress at
Imperial College London on 7 Sept 2002. He
recalled meeting Larkin at the old Poetry Society headquarters in Earls Court
Square in the late 60s, which would have been about the time that Larking was
finally gaining control over his
own stammer. Anyway John Ford was
stammering very badly during a coffee break conversation after a reading.
Larkin saw his difficulties and moved over and began to talk to him. John
cannot now remember what he said but, as anyone who stammers would, appreciated
the human kindness. It’s all too
easy to steer away from a person who is stammering.
John also
says that when he told the story some years ago, someone said that it could
never have happened, as Larkin never visited the society.
Perhaps it happened somewhere else.
John also recalls that the late John Wain, in his opinion a much
under-rated fiction writer, was there on that day, and would have rather
enjoyed being asked about it. I certainly
enjoyed being told about it. Jim
Thornton.
|
|
You have reached iGreens.org.uk. In December 2006 we moved to iGreens.org with faster servers and discussion boards. Click here to follow us.
Send mail to enquiries@igreens.org.uk
with
questions or comments about this web site.
|