Talking In Bed

Analysis of Talking In Bed by Philip Larkin

Talking In Bed is about a couple finding it difficult to come up with something to say to each other whilst they are in bed, and realising that perhaps their relationship has come as far as it can. The setting of the bed suggests proximity, but in actuality the couple must feel lonely.

Larkin starts by saying 'Talking in bed should be easiest' - if you are sharing a bed you must have got to the stage where you are comfortable with each other, as it is supposed to be a close and intimate place. 'Lying there together goes back so far' shows that this is a long term relationship, which further shows that they should know how to deal with this situation.

However, 'time passes silently', with nothing being said by either of them. This is the first sign that the relationship is not going so well.

'And dark towns heap up on the horizon. None of this cares for us.' - They don't care if bad times are coming, it won't make a difference to how they are feeling now.
'This unique distance from isolation' - They are physically close to each other yet they have never felt further apart.
'It becomes still more difficult to find words at once true and kind, Or not untrue and not unkind.' - It's hard to be truthful and kind, but it's harder to act neutral, so they're veering close to being unkind and lying.