Philip Larkin's poem “Talking in Bed” tells the truth about life and how relationships can slowly go downhill over time. It explores the idea that no matter how close we are to someone, we can still feel intense loneliness. The language emphasizes the feelings that an empty marriage can have. The poem also gives the impression that it is from the man's point of view. It is written in four stanzas, each comprising three lines of ten syllables each. This makes it a short lyrical ballad. Through tone, language, and imagery, Larkin is able to create a feeling in which he can effectively critique and deconstruct the subject of innocence in relation to his current life experiences. There are many examples of imagery in this poem, both of which show two people in bed, close to each other, but somewhat distant in their relationships as they realize how much they have changed. “Talking in Bed” also shows symbolism and lines that express multiple meanings in explaining the ultimate mistake in human history, man and woman living together, yet completely alone. They are not able to find the words that were once there, nor know that the words that were once there never had any real meaning. The author of the poem immediately explains that sleeping with one's partner is the basis of human nature, "Sleeping together goes back a long way, / an emblem of two honest people" (1.1-2). However, thanks to use of words, the meanings can be interpreted in many ways and take on entirely different meanings As one might read it for the first time, "Lying Together" seems innocent enough, as the image of two lovers embracing each other in an embrace. romantic comes directly to mind However, it can be said that the middle of paper ......al is formed from the first stanza to the fourth In the first stanza, the poet implies that the couples involved are together. for a while; "Sleeping together there goes back so long." It has a very powerful message for everyone who reads it, and because the language is so simple, it is even more effective in getting that message across. The reader would imagine that the feeling he experiences at the end of the poem must be the feeling the poet would feel lying in bed with his lover, unable to express himself as "more and more time passes silently." Works Cited Black, Joseph Laurence. “Philippe Larkin.” The Broadview Anthology of British Literature. Flight. B. Peterborough, Ontario: Broadview, 2007. P. 1424. Print. “Oxford English Dictionary.” Search results - Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Internet. March 19. 2011. .