[ross hamilton hill]

Hardy wrote some wonderful poetry, I have read a lot but not this one. This I find very difficult to read, I wrote a comment last night then scrapped it, in it I picked the same line as Gregory eg
'We work here together'
as a major stumbling block. But even before that I find it a contrived experience. Hardy as you probably know wrote tons of poetry, he really considered himself a poet, like Graves, he wrote novels to make a living.
I feel this is an interesting experiment but for me the result is not attractive it is too difficult to find the rhythm and stick to it. By the time I've finished S1 I've had enough.
I mostly like Hardy when he uses a longer line, I couldn't find my fav poem but this one is I think worth reading and innovative in it's use of meter.

A Broken Appointment

You did not come,
And marching Time drew on, and wore me numb,—
Yet less for loss of your dear presence there
Than that I thus found lacking in your make
That high compassion which can overbear
Reluctance for pure lovingkindness’ sake
Grieved I, when, as the hope-hour stroked its sum,
You did not come.

You love not me,
And love alone can lend you loyalty;
–I know and knew it. But, unto the store
Of human deeds divine in all but name,
Was it not worth a little hour or more
To add yet this: Once you, a woman, came
To soothe a time-torn man; even though it be
You love not me?

cheers
Ross