Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Bus Talk" by Simon Armitage is a vivid and character-driven poem that captures a slice of life through a conversation overheard on a bus. The speaker, Mr. Argot, is a disgruntled and outspoken character who vents his frustrations about the subsidence of his property and the lack of support from his insurance company.

The poem starts with Mr. Argot expressing outrage at the discovery that his garden has collapsed into the river and his greenhouse is leaning dangerously. He quotes the insurance company's response, which attributes the damage to frost and implies there's little to be done about it. His frustration is palpable as he points out the obvious: the frost won’t reverse the damage.

The insurance company's representative, who visits Mr. Argot's property, dismisses the severity of the situation, suggesting that they would only consider it serious in the case of extreme damage like the Brighton bombing. This comparison adds a touch of dark humor to the poem while highlighting Mr. Argot's exasperation. He threatens to take legal action if he ends up being a casualty in his own home, a statement that reflects his determination and sense of injustice.

Mr. Argot's background as an engineer gives him confidence in his assessment of the situation, yet he feels disregarded by the insurance company. His frustration is further illustrated through the movement of his alarm clock and the instability of placing eggs anywhere in his house, symbolizing the ongoing and unsettling changes in his home.

The final line of the poem, "if this house hasn’t dropped a good two inches this last eighteen months, my cock’s a kipper," is colloquial and colorful, encapsulating Mr. Argot's forthright and unfiltered manner of speaking. It underscores his conviction about the subsidence and his irritation with being dismissed by the insurance company.

Overall, "Bus Talk" is a compelling portrait of an individual facing a frustrating battle against bureaucracy, depicted with humor, vivid imagery, and a strong sense of voice. Armitage effectively uses dialogue to bring Mr. Argot's character to life, allowing the reader to empathize with his plight while also appreciating the humor in his colorful expressions.

POEM TEXT:

https://www.nationalpoetrylibrary.org.uk/online-poetry/poems/bus-talk

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...