Life Stinks and Then You Die

Conversational tone? Iambic pentameter and rhyme? Wish you had never read the poem because now you're so depressed that fifth period seems absolutely out of the question? If you can check off all of these boxes, chances are you just read a Larkin poem.

"Aubade" is a great example of the tone, form, and subject type that Larkin is known for: disappointment, monotony, death, and the fear of death. Take a look at Larkin's "Dockery and Son" (especially the last four lines) and "Days" for more of the same. When you finish, take yourself out for an ice-cream cone. You'll need some cheering up.