The Philip Larkin Society

The Spirit Wooed - February 2001

Chosen by Natalie Taylor

My favourite poem by Larkin is 'The Spirit Wooed', thought to be written in 1950. It reminds me of a time in my life when I too was caught loving somebody who had a horrendous hold over me every single day. I can see that is what Philip was reproducing in the poem, those feelings of intense frustration and sad misunderstanding, coupled with despair and confusion. Every time I read that poem I realise what a fool I was.

- Natalie Taylor