On a Discovered Curl of Hair
The poem reflects on a cherished curl of hair, symbolizing a past relationship filled with warmth and affection. The speaker recalls moments shared with the beloved, where the curl was a vibrant part of their connection, dancing in the sun and wind during joyful times. The hair serves as a tangible reminder of intimacy and love, contrasting with the inevitable passage of time that has grayed the rest of the beloved's hair, now stored away in darkness, representing lost moments and memories. The speaker expresses a longing for the past, highlighting the curl's unchanged beauty, which evokes a sense of nostalgia. This singular curl stands as a testament to the enduring nature of certain memories, untouched by time, suggesting that while the relationship may have faded, the emotions tied to it remain vivid. The desire to return to the beloved's home underscores a yearning for reconnection and the possibility of rekindling what once was. Ultimately, the work explores themes of memory, loss, and the bittersweet nature of love, encapsulated in the physical representation of the curl. It serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and transience of relationships, illustrating how certain elements can remain vibrant even as time alters the broader context of life and love.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1912 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 182 words
First lines
WHEN your soft welcomings were said, This curl was waving on your head, And when we walked where breakers dinned It sported in the sun and wind, And when I had won your words of grace It brushed and clung about my face. Then, to abate the misery Of absentness, you gave it me.
Where are its fellows now? Ah, they For brightest brown have donned a gray, And gone into a caverned ark, Ever unopened, always dark!
Yet this one curl, untouched of time, Beams with live brown as in its prime, So that it seems I even could now Restore it to the living brow By bearing down the western road Till I had reached your old abode.
What this Textopian page supports
On a Discovered Curl of Hair 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: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Sentimentalism, Victorian Literature
- Length: 182 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that employs lyrical language and explores themes of memory and loss.
- Romanticism — The poem reflects romantic themes of love, nostalgia, and the beauty of nature.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Sentimentalism — The poem evokes deep feelings and sentiments related to love and remembrance.
Tags
love · loss · memory · nostalgia · identity · longing · nature · romance · regret · beauty · time · relationships