The poem reflects on themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time. It begins with a sense of darkness and silence, contrasting past joy with the present emptiness. The speaker recalls a significant person, indicated as "One," who is now absent. As the poem progresses, the imagery of nature—bare trees and sighing waterways—symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of change, marking the absence of "Two." The tone shifts to a more introspective and melancholic mood as the speaker contemplates the fading vitality of life. The mention of "Three" suggests a growing awareness of loss, with the wind personified as a fragile entity, representing the weight of care and sorrow. The speaker's reflections deepen, acknowledging that life, once vibrant and full of color, has become dry and fleeting, with "Four" indicating further loss. In the final stanza, the speaker expresses fatigue with existence, questioning the absence of "Five," which implies a longing for connection or reunion with those lost. The poem encapsulates a journey through grief, highlighting the emotional weight of remembrance and the stark reality of solitude in the face of time's relentless march.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Lyric, Philosophical