'This Be the Worst' - Adrian Mitchell

Last week's edition of 'Poetry Please' collected together poems about children read out during 'Children in Need' day on Radio Four. 

 There were smashing readings from Ian McKellan ('Timothy Winters' by Charles Causley), Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath, Philip Pullman and many others including several children. I think they should also have included 'Poem for Connie' by Chloe Evans.

 Best of all of the readings I loved Maxine Peake's reading of 'This Be the Worst', the balancing pastiche to Philip Larkin's notorious 'This Be the Verse' - a reminder of what all parents would want to do if sometimes they fall short.
This Be the Worst

 They tuck you up, your mum and dad,
They read you Peter Rabbit, too.
They give you all the treats they had
And add some extra, just for you.

They were tucked up when they were small,
(Pink perfume, blue tobacco-smoke),
By those whose kiss healed any fall,
Whose laughter doubled any joke.

 Man hands on happiness to man,
It deepens like a coastal shelf.
So love your parents all you can

And have some cheerful kids yourself.


Maxine Peake - a long way from 'Dinner Ladies'?

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