At the Word "Farewell" by Thomas Hardy
The poem explores themes of parting, love, and the ephemeral nature of moments. The speaker observes a woman, likening her to a bird, as she moves alone in the early morning light. The atmosphere is charged with a sense of impending separation, heightened by the ghostly quality of the surroundings. The speaker reflects on the significance of the moment, feeling as if it is a culmination of their shared past, yet also recognizing the uncertainty of the future. As the speaker approaches the woman, he acknowledges his departure with a simple farewell, which carries weight and emotion. The imagery of bare branches and the dim dawn underscores the starkness of their situation. The tension between love and the inevitability of parting is palpable, suggesting that even a slight change in circumstances could alter their fate. The woman's blush hints at unspoken feelings, adding complexity to their interaction. The poem captures the bittersweet essence of farewells, emphasizing the fragility of human connections and the profound impact of fleeting moments. The speaker's internal conflict and the poignant imagery create a resonant exploration of love, loss, and the passage of time.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1912 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 291 words
First lines
SHE looked like a bird from a cloud / On the clammy lawn, / Moving alone, bare-browed / In the dim of dawn. / The candles alight in the room / For my parting meal / Made all things withoutdoors loom / Strange, ghostly, unreal.
The hour itself was a ghost, / And it seemed to me then / As of chances the chance furthermost / I should see her again. / I beheld not where all was so fleet / That a Plan of the past / Which had ruled us from birthtime to meet / Was in working at last:
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At the Word "Farewell" is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Narrative Poetry, Modernism
- Length: 291 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for At the Word "Farewell" by Thomas Hardy
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Similar titles
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- Saying Good Bye by Thomas Hardy
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- On The Departure Platform by Thomas Hardy
- I Thought My Heart by Thomas Hardy
- Second April Elegy by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work's focus on personal emotions and vivid imagery aligns it closely with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and individual experience reflect the ideals of Romanticism.
- Elegy — The tone of farewell and reflection on parting suggests elements of an elegy.
- Narrative Poetry — The poem tells a story through its progression and character interactions.
Tags
loss · grief · farewell · love · nostalgia · relationships · heartbreak · memory · separation · longing · melancholy · human experience