Birds at Winter Nightfall (Triolet)
The poem captures a winter scene where snowflakes fall heavily around a house, creating a sense of isolation and stillness. The imagery of the snow obscuring the outside world emphasizes the transition from the vibrancy of nature to a stark, cold environment. The absence of berries on holly and cotoneaster suggests a loss of life and color, reinforcing the theme of winter's harshness. The repetition of the phrase "Around the house" creates a rhythmic structure, mirroring the relentless nature of the snowfall. The mention of a "crumb-outcaster," likely a reference to a bird that used to feed on the lawn, evokes nostalgia for the liveliness of summer and the natural world. The poem reflects on the contrast between the warmth of past experiences and the coldness of the present, highlighting themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. Overall, the work encapsulates the quiet desolation of winter, using vivid imagery and a structured form to convey the emotional weight of the season. The interplay between the external environment and internal feelings creates a poignant reflection on nature's cycles and human experience.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Lyric · 77 words
First lines
AROUND the house the flakes fly faster, / And all the berries now are gone / From holly and cotoneaster / Around the house. The flakes fly! -faster / Shutting indoors that crumb-outcaster / We used to see upon the lawn / Around the house. The flakes fly faster, / And all the berries now are gone!
What this Textopian page supports
Birds at Winter Nightfall (Triolet) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1917 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: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Lyric, Romanticism, Seasonal
- Length: 77 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Birds at Winter Nightfall (Triolet) by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
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- Song In Winter by Robert Graves
- In The Small Hours by Thomas Hardy
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- What The Swallows Say by Theophile Gautier
Genres
- Poetry — The work is a triolet, a form of poetry characterized by its specific structure and rhyme scheme.
- Nature — The poem reflects themes of nature, particularly winter and its effects on the environment.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and observations related to the winter season.
- Romanticism — The focus on nature and emotional depth aligns with Romantic literary themes.
Tags
nature · winter · birds · nightfall · poetry · triolet · seasonal · melancholy · reflection · solitude · imagery · emotion