Song of Hope by Thomas Hardy (1917)
The poem expresses a profound sense of hope and anticipation for a brighter future following a period of sorrow. It begins with an optimistic outlook on the coming day, suggesting that the burdens of today will fade away. The speaker encourages embracing hope, as a new dawn approaches, symbolized by the imagery of larks singing and the promise of a glorious story yet to unfold. The work contrasts the heaviness of current emotions with the lightness of what is to come. The use of vivid imagery, such as "winds wing us" and "gleaming," evokes a sense of movement towards a more joyful existence. The speaker urges the reader to shed symbols of mourning and embrace a renewed spirit, indicated by the call to "don the red shoon" and "retune viol-strings broken." As the poem progresses, it emphasizes the inevitability of change and the cyclical nature of life, where sorrow is temporary and hope is a constant companion. The refrain of "soon" reinforces the idea that relief and joy are just around the corner, encouraging a forward-looking perspective. Overall, the work encapsulates themes of resilience, the transient nature of grief, and the enduring power of hope, inviting readers to look beyond their current struggles towards a future filled with possibility and light.
By Thomas Hardy · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Optimism · 178 words
First lines
O SWEET To-morrow! - / After to-day / There will away / This sense of sorrow. / Then let us borrow / Hope, for a gleaming / Soon will be streaming, / Dimmed by no gray- / No gray!
While the winds wing us / Sighs from The Gone, / Nearer to dawn / Minute-beats bring us; / When there will sing us / Larks of a glory / Waiting our story / Further anon- / Anon!
Doff the black token, / Don the red shoon, / Right and retune / Viol-strings broken; / Null the words spoken / In speeches of rueing, / The night cloud is hueing, / To-morrow shines soon- / Shines soon!
What this Textopian page supports
Song of Hope 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: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Optimism, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry
- Length: 178 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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- Work identity for Song of Hope by Thomas Hardy
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is structured as a poem expressing personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — The themes of hope and nature, along with emotional expression, align with Romantic ideals.
- Optimism — The central theme revolves around hope and a positive outlook towards the future.
- Nature Poetry — Imagery related to nature and the changing of seasons is prevalent, typical of nature poetry.
Tags
hope · poetry · nature · melancholy · human experience · resilience · emotion · life · struggle · beauty · loss · inspiration