Thomas Hardy is remembered today for novels such as Jude the Obscure and Tess of the d’Urbervilles. But, there is a wealth of content to explore in his masterful poetry. Read more about Thomas Hardy.
‘Beeny Cliff’ by Thomas Hardy examines the disenchantment of a location that was once fondly beloved for its setting as a happy memory.
O the opal and the sapphire of that wandering western sea,
And the woman riding high above with bright hair flapping free–
The woman whom I loved so, and who loyally loved me.
‘A Thunderstorm In Town’ by Thomas Hardy presents two contrasting scenes: the dry interior of a carriage and the havoc of a thunderstorm outside. But the powerful imagery and symbolism mainly illustrate a memory of lovelorn regret by the speaker.
She wore a 'terra-cotta' dress,
And we stayed, because of the pelting storm,
Within the hansom's dry recess,
Though the horse had stopped; yea, motionless
Hardy’s poetry focuses on themes such as disappointment, thwarted love, and pessimism. ‘A Broken Appointment’ provokes empathy towards the lyrical voice.
‘A Sheep Fair’ is a solemn look at one day of country life, at the autumn fair, as sheep, the auctioneer, and the buyers contend with torrential rain.
‘A Sunday Morning Tragedy’ by Thomas Hardy was written in January of 1904 and later published in 1909 in the
‘A Trampwoman’s Tragedy’ by Thomas Hardy was written in 1902 at Hardy’s home, Max Gate, in Dorchester, England. He initially
This poem, ‘A Wife in London’, by Thomas hardy has a unique way of presenting a tragedy. The words are light
‘After a Journey’ by Thomas Hardy is a four stanza poem that is separated into sets of eight lines, or
While Thomas Hardy, poet to ‘Afterwards‘, is best remembered for his novels, such as ‘Jude the Obscure and Tess of
‘An August Midnight’ was written in 1899 by ‘Thomas Hardy’, published in 1901. The main theme in this poem is the meaning and purpose in life.
‘And There Was a Great Calm’ by Thomas Hardy describes the horrors of WWI, the end of the war, and the ‘Great Calm’ which came on November 11th, 1918.
There had been years of Passion—scorching, cold,
And much Despair, and Anger heaving high,
Care whitely watching, Sorrows manifold,
Among the young, among the weak and old,
‘At an Inn’ by Thomas Hardy recalls a stay that Hardy and his close female friend had at an inn. At the time they were not in love, but seemed to be.
‘At Castle Boterel’ was written in 1913. The poem remembers a certain moment in life that is associated with a deeply significant memory.
‘Channel Firing’ was published on May 1st, 1914, only three months before WWI. It is now considered to be one
Thomas Hardy lived in a time that had long passed before most were born, and was inspired by a society
‘He Never Expected Much’ is a direct poem in which Hardy discusses life’s ups and downs and inevitable end. His
‘I look into my glass’ by Thomas Hardy describes the painful process of aging and how one’s mental age is not always in line with one’s physical.
‘I Looked Up from My Writing’ by Thomas Hardy is a existentially contemplative piece in which a writer is confronted with his own ignorance and irresponsibility.
Thomas Hardy’s ‘I Said To Love’ is about love and the difficulties that love creates on people. This poem reveals a speaker’s agonized reaction to love.
‘In Tenebris: I’ by Thomas Hardy is one of three poems devoted to an exploration of the poet’s own grief. He was mourning the decline of his marriage and writing career.
‘In the Servants’ Quarters’ by Thomas Hardy speaks into a biblical story and gives the reader insight as to what Peter may have been feeling, and the pressure he was under at the time when he denied knowing Jesus.
Hardy titled this poem aptly. The word “lament” is defined as an expression of grief or sorrow, usually of a
Thomas Hardy’s ‘Midnight on the Great Western’ is a powerful piece of poetry that examines the story of a young boy, traveling forward to an unknown destination from an unknown place.
‘Moments of Vision’ by Thomas Hardy describes the times in a person’s life in which they are forced to reflect on who they are and what they’ve done.
Thomas Hardy’s ‘Neutral Tones’ is about the neutrality of feelings and passivity of a lady. The beauty of this poem lies in the use of imagery and most importantly the colors.
Generally speaking, evocative poetry is good poetry, and this is an idea that is more or less true for all
Written after the death of his wife, Emma Hardy, ‘Rain on a Grave’ is a moving, deeply emotional poem that taps into the emotional qualities of nature.
‘The Convergence of the Twain’ by Thomas Hardy is an eleven-section poem that is divided into sets of three lines,
‘The Darkling Thrush’ is typical of Thomas Hardy’s work in that it shows life on Earth, human as well as animal, existing under the iron grip of an unsympathetic force, in this case, Nature.
‘The Field of Waterloo’, a poem written by Thomas Hardy, concerns the horror of war from the perspective of different creatures other than human beings.