Looking at a Picture on an Anniversary
The poem reflects on the passage of time and the enduring nature of love through the lens of memory and nostalgia. The speaker addresses a beloved figure, likely a portrait or photograph, evoking the day they first met. This anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of their shared past, filled with both joy and sorrow. The speaker expresses a sense of longing and connection, suggesting that even though the beloved remains still and unresponsive, there is a recognition of their shared history. The imagery of "rainbow-rays" symbolizes the beauty and significance of that day, while the mention of "old-time recognition" indicates a deep emotional bond that transcends time. As the speaker contemplates the beloved's expression, they perceive a flicker of life and memory in the eyes, hinting at the idea that love can persist even in absence. The poem grapples with themes of existence, love, and the impact of memory, ultimately conveying a sense of yearning for the past and the desire for a continued connection, despite the physical separation. The speaker's reflections reveal a profound emotional landscape, where the act of remembering becomes a vital part of their own existence.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 238 words
First lines
BUT don't you know it, my dear, Don't you know it, That this day of the year (What rainbow-rays embow it! ) We met, strangers confessed, But parted-blest?
Though at this query, my dear, There in your frame Unmoved you still appear, You must be thinking the same, But keep that look demure Just to allure.
And now at length a trace I surely vision Upon that wistful face Of old-time recognition, Smiling forth, "Yes, as you say, It is the day."
For this one phase of you Now left on earth This great date must endue With pulsings of rebirth? - I see them vitalize Those two deep eyes!
What this Textopian page supports
Looking at a Picture on an Anniversary 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, Romanticism, Lyric, Victorian Literature, Existentialism
- Length: 238 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Looking at a Picture on an Anniversary by Thomas Hardy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Looking at a Picture on an Anniversary?
- How does this poem by Thomas Hardy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- On A Discovered Curl Of Hair by Thomas Hardy
- The Selfsame Song by Thomas Hardy
- As Twere To Night by Thomas Hardy
- The Plaintive Song Of A Bird Recalls To Him His Own Keener Sorrow by Francesco Petrarca
- Her Song by Thomas Hardy
- Second April Elegy by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nostalgia, and emotional depth are central to the poem.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and reflections on a significant relationship.
- Victorian Literature — The author, Thomas Hardy, is a prominent figure in Victorian literature, and the themes reflect the era's concerns.
Tags
anniversary · reflection · memory · nostalgia · love · loss · time · relationships · art · emotion · past · identity