As Bad as a Mile by Philip Larkin

As Bad as a Mile by Philip Larkin
This is one of Larkin's shorter poems from the collection, where the poem conveys the feeling of missing your goal, just like throwing an apple core in the bin but missing. The message of innocence is also portrayed, and how we do not understand the harsh yet inevitable realities of life.
                    'Watching the shield core Striking the basket, skidding across the floor'
The feeling of being so close and missing is presented in the first stanza, as the 'sheild core' went 'skidding across the floor' which presents a sense of frustration. He then describes how it 'Shows less and less of luck' the closer you get to your goal, showing that no matter what it will eventually miss. Larkin then uses the word 'failure' to describe the act which creates a tone of pessimism, there is no hope.
                         'Earlier and earlier, the unraised hand calm, The apple unbitten in the palm'
In the final stanza, Larkin makes a reference to the story of Adam and Eve, describing how their lives were pure before they bit into the apple, which led to disappointment and grief. The poet presents the idea that failure automatically begins the moment you are aware of reality, just like Adam and Eve. The moment they bit into the Apple their paradise ended. You can never return to the time when your innocence was 'in the palm' of your hand, it us unable to be retrieved.