Annus Mirabilis

A poem in which the opening of Philip Larkin’s ‘Annus Mirabilis’ is adapted so that 1963 becomes 2007 and ‘sexual intercourse’ becomes something else

Felicitous, unfettered freedom began

In two thousand and seven:

Sixty-five – a retired man

With a pension! What heaven!

Sunday nights – and no need to dread

Monday morning blues

But, after an extra hour in bed,

Do as I choose.

They buck you up, these halcyon days

While those less blessed

Are turning the treadmill that pays

For you to rest!

No need to fret about Larkin’s ‘Toad’

But, with time to step out,

And no one to praise or to goad,

Go larkin’ about!