During Wind and Rain by Thomas Hardy
The poem reflects on the passage of time and the inevitable changes it brings to life and relationships. It begins with a scene of joyful singing, where individuals of different ages come together, highlighting the warmth and vibrancy of shared moments. However, this joy is juxtaposed with a sense of loss as the speaker laments the relentless march of time, symbolized by the imagery of sick leaves falling and storm-birds flying. As the poem progresses, it depicts various activities that signify domestic bliss and community, such as clearing pathways, gardening, and enjoying meals under a summer tree. These moments are filled with life and connection, yet they are tinged with nostalgia and the awareness that such happiness is fleeting. The refrain about the years serves as a reminder of the transience of these experiences. The final stanzas illustrate a shift to a new home, representing change and the pursuit of a better life. Despite the material improvements, there is an underlying acknowledgment of decay and the passage of time, as indicated by the rain that erodes their carved names. The poem encapsulates the tension between the joy of living and the inevitability of loss, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of existence.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Romanticism · 262 words
First lines
THEY sing their dearest songs- / He, she, all of them-yea, / Treble and tenor and bass, / And one to play; / With the candles mooning each face. / Ah, no; the years O! / How the sick leaves reel down in throngs!
They clear the creeping moss- / Elders and juniors-aye, / Making the pathways neat / And the garden gay; / And they build a shady seat. / Ah, no; the years, the years; / See, the white storm-birds wing across!
They are blithely breakfasting all- / Men and maidens-yea, / Under the summer tree, / With a glimpse of the bay, / While pet fowl come to the knee. / Ah, no; the years O! / And the rotten rose is ript from the wall.
What this Textopian page supports
During Wind and Rain 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, Lyric, Romanticism, Elegy, Nature Writing
- Length: 262 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for During Wind and Rain by Thomas Hardy
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse and employs poetic devices such as rhythm and imagery.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on time and change.
- Romanticism — Themes of nature, beauty, and the passage of time align with Romantic ideals.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and the inevitability of change, characteristic of elegiac themes.
Tags
nature · weather · love · loss · grief · nostalgia · rural · poetry · human experience · relationships · time · memory