“This be the Verse” by Philip Larkin

They fuck you up, your mum and dad,
They may not mean to but they do
They fill you with the faults they had
And add some extra just for you.

But they were fucked up in their turn
By fools in old style hats and coats
Who half the time were soppy-stern
And half at one another’s throats.

Man hands on misery to man.
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
Get out as early as you can
And don’t have any kids yourself.

My philosophy professor recited this poem from memory in class.  First, I was astounded that he could whip that out off the top of his head.  Second, I was depressed at thinking how horrible our world is and I completely understood his point.  Why would anyone drag another person into the world with its complete immorality?  We were talking about this in relation to Dostoyevsky’s The Grand Inquisitor.  So, third, I had to agree with Ivan.  I love life more than the idea of life, and my “sticky leaves” are giving campus tours seeing smiles, snuggling, chai tea lattes, cooking and really good food in general, and learning. Everyone should get themselves some sticky leaves.