Original Poem
We stood by a pond that winter day, And the sun was white, as though chidden of God, And a few leaves lay on the starving sod; – They had fallen from an ash, and were gray. Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove Over tedious riddles of years ago; And some words played between us to and fro On which lost the more by our love. The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing Alive enough to have strength to die; And a grin of bitterness swept thereby Like an ominous bird a-wing…. Since then, keen lessons that love deceives, And wrings with wrong, have shaped to me Your face, and the God curst sun, and a tree, And a pond edged with grayish leaves.
Translation (English)
We stood by a pond on a winter day,
And the sun was pale, as if scolded by God,
And a few leaves lay on the barren ground;
They had fallen from an ash tree and were gray.
Your eyes looked at me like eyes that wander
Over boring puzzles from years ago;
And some words were exchanged between us
Which lost their meaning because of our love.
The smile on your lips was the most lifeless thing
Alive enough to have the strength to die;
And a bitter grin passed by
Like a threatening bird flying….
Since then, sharp lessons that love deceives,
And causes pain, have shaped my view
Of your face, the cursed sun, a tree,
And a pond surrounded by gray leaves.
About the Poet
Thomas Hardy (Victorian)
Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) was an English novelist and poet. He was a Victorian realist influenced by Romanticism and known for his critical view of Victorian society. Hardy's poetry gained recognition later in his life, and he is celebrated for both his novels and poems.
Read more on Wikipedia →Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Poem
- When Written
- Published in 1912
- Background
- The poem reflects Hardy's exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the passage of time, often drawing from personal experiences and observations of the natural world.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hardy
Detailed Explanation
This poem by Thomas Hardy captures a moment of reflection and emotional distance between two people standing by a pond on a winter day. The imagery of the pale sun and gray leaves sets a somber tone, suggesting a sense of desolation and loss. The interaction between the two individuals is marked by a lack of connection, as their eyes and words fail to bridge the emotional gap. The smile, described as 'the deadest thing,' conveys a sense of emptiness and bitterness. The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on how love has taught them harsh lessons, leaving them with a changed perception of the world around them. The recurring theme of love's deception and the passage of time is evident in the imagery and tone, highlighting Hardy's exploration of human emotions and relationships.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| chidden | scolded | reprimanded or told off | chid-en |
| sod | ground | the surface of the ground, especially when covered with grass | sod |
| rove | wander | to move around aimlessly | rohv |
| tedious | boring | dull and tiresome | tee-dee-us |
| ominous | threatening | suggesting something bad is going to happen | om-i-nuhs |
| keen | sharp | intense or strong | keen |
| wrings | twists | causes pain or distress | rings |
| curst | cursed | under a curse or spell | kurst |
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