On Sturminster Foot-Bridge. (Onomatopoeic)
The poem captures a moment on a footbridge, observing the interplay between nature and human emotion. The imagery evokes a tranquil yet restless scene, where the wind disturbs the water's surface, creating ripples and sounds that reflect the passage of time and the impact of the elements on the landscape. The current's "clucks" suggest a lively, almost conversational quality of the water as it interacts with the environment, hinting at the history embedded in the river's banks. Swallows perched on a roof symbolize anticipation and longing, poised to take flight. Their sudden descent into the riverbank suggests a connection to the natural world, where life is both fleeting and vibrant. The mention of a figure beneath the roof introduces a human element, contrasting the natural observations with personal emotion. This figure represents a source of light and hope amidst the darkness, embodying a sense of yearning or nostalgia. The poem intertwines the sounds of nature with the emotional landscape of the observer, creating a rich tapestry of sensory experiences. The use of onomatopoeia enhances the auditory imagery, drawing the reader into the scene and emphasizing the relationship between the physical environment and the inner life of the speaker. The overall tone reflects a blend of melancholy and beauty, capturing the essence of a moment suspended in time, where nature and human experience converge.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Romanticism · 115 words
First lines
RETICULATIONS creep upon the slack stream's face / When the wind skims irritably past, / The current clucks smartly into each hollow place / That years of flood have scrabbled in the pier's sodden base; / The floating-lily leaves rot fast.
On a roof stand the swallows ranged in wistful waiting rows, / Till they arrow off and drop like stones / Among the eyot-withies at whose foot the river flows; / And beneath the roof is she who in the dark world shows / As a lattice-gleam when midnight moans.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Nature Writing — The poem vividly describes natural elements and their interactions, focusing on the landscape and environment.
- Romanticism — The themes of longing and emotional depth reflect characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Tags
poetry · nature · bridge · water · sound · onomatopoeia · landscape · reflection · emotion · tranquility · rural · imagery
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On Sturminster Foot-Bridge. (Onomatopoeic) is listed on Textopian as a poem by Thomas Hardy, dated 1917 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Thomas Hardy
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Romanticism, Lyric, Symbolism
- Length: 115 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
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