Lawrence Beck (13 Sep 1953 - 9 Dec 2025)

In remembrance of a hugely appreciated friend and poet

Despite her current health, Isabelle has laboured hard last week to bring back into his archive most of the poems that Lawrence Beck submitted to PoetBay over the years - since 2010.

Affectionately known as 'Larry' he was a very prolific poet. Personally, I don't think he had a favourite subject for his writing, it seems to me that he recorded each and every life experience and thought with his own brand of - sometimes ascerbic - verse.

His last poem entitled simply "Ill" was submitted to PoetBay the day before his passing. I expect you've already read that one, but here is the link: https://www.poetbay.com/viewText.php?textId=137868

The first poem in his archive entitled "Need" poetically describes something he said was greater than Love in describing how he felt about 'her'. 

In between were poems about... you name it: politics, travel, love, family, relationships, and observations. I personally thought Larry was a brilliant observationalist, sometimes of very simple things like the weather or the countryside, other times delving into politics and World affairs.

I'm going to list some links to a few samples of his work, starting with a personal favourite: "Visiting Jennifer Martin" which, for me, typified the way that moments in time can be transposed into a concise 'thing' in a simple and clear manner. The way he arranged his words not only told a simple story, but implied so much more in the reader's mind. There is something about that poem which will always remind me of Larry's romantic side.

Knowing now of his passing, perhaps we can be forgiven for thinking that in the words of "Not the Man He Was" - written just six days before he died - there was an element of premonition in what he penned. 

Then there is "A July Evening In The Suburbs" -  which might also be thought somewhat prophetic, but in a different way.

"A NightMare Which Won't End" - is Larry in political mode.

"A Warm And Windy Sunday Afternoon" - is him being...moody?

"Final Day" describes what I and many others have felt at the end of a holiday. 

Larry wrote many poems during the confinement period of the Covid epidemic, "She Knew" is a poignant reminder of the personal loss many people experienced back then.

Larry had great empathy and understanding, and was an adherent of many worthy causes....plus, of course, was a tremendous supporter of PoetBay. He will be greatly missed. Do please have a wander through his archive now that it has been restored.

(Written by Allen, but expressing the views, love, and appreciation of all the admins and editors of PoetBay who feel for the loss of this dear friend.)