A Study of Reading Habits

When getting my nose in a book A
Cured most things short of school, B
It was worth ruining my eyes C
To know I could still keep cool, B
And deal out the old right hook A
To dirty dogs twice my size. C

Later, with inch-thick specs, D
Evil was just my lark: E
Me and my coat and fangs F
Had ripping times in the dark. E
The women I clubbed with sex! D
I broke them up like meringues. F

Don't read much now: the dude
Who lets the girl down before
The hero arrives, the chap
Who's yellow and keeps the store
Seem far too familiar. Get stewed:
Books are a load of crap.

--Philip Larkin