Space Toad

Philip Larkin, 1922 - 1985.

One of the 'Toads' from the 'Larkin with Toads' public art event that began in Hull on 17th July. Inspired by Philip Larkin's poems 'Toads' and 'Toads Revisited.'
The toads were auctioned yesterday for charity but there are still some on the streets today.

Why should I let the Toad work
Squat on my life?
Can't I use my wit as a pitchfork
And drive the brute off?


He's probably best known for his poem 'This Be The Verse' which begins...

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.

Jolly! He once said - 'Deprivation is for me what daffodils were for Wordsworth.'

Having said that I am a fan.

Update: The sale of Toads raised over £60,000.