MCMXIV

"MCMXIV" (1914) is a poem written by English poet Philip Larkin. It was first published in the book The Whitsun Weddings in 1964. The poem is set in 1914 England as men prepare to leave their homes and fight in the First World War. It is regarded as one of Larkin's best-known poems. The poem has had many controversial reviews from the British public. The end line, Never Such Innocence again is referring to the fact that there was no innocence in the First World War.

References in popular culture

• The first and last verses of the poem are quoted in the film The History Boys.
• MCMXIV is the first single on the Portland, Oregon band Archeology's E.P. Change of Address

See also

• List of poems by Philip Larkin

References

• Philip Larkin, Collected Poems, Faber and Faber, 2003, Appendix III.

External links

• The Philip Larkin Society