As if reading the Hive Mind, Kim from dVerse Poets delights us this morning with opening words from three poems by Philip Larkin, and invites us also to pen our own poems from opening hook-up lines.

What better than re-using Philip Larkin’s opener to his “The Trees”, which was not only giifted to me by a writing student several years ago (on a scrap of paper cut out with pinking shears) but has also underewritten my thoughts all through The Spring Opening this 2025, culminating in May Day tomorrow.

Thank you Kim, thank you Sara, thank you Red Kite of inspiration, guidance and wisdom.

Larkin' about

The trees are coming into leaf
Like something almost being said;
I want you, dear, beyond belief
And sometimes will that you were dead.

Oftimes I wish that I could take
More lightly what we have to share:
A septic tick bite by the lake;
A quiver on my shoulder bare.

On thermals I rise up to soar,
And lately you have come to me,
Red Kite, as scavenging for more
Than blossom of the Linden tree.

Copyright © Kathy Labrum McVittie 30 April 2025