Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A MEETING WITH DESPAIR, by THOMAS HARDY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A MEETING WITH DESPAIR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: As evening shaped I found me on a moor
Last Line: Had gone. Then chuckled he.


AS evening shaped I found me on a moor
Which sight could scarce sustain:
The black lean land, of featureless contour,
Was like a tract in pain.

"This scene, like my own life," I said, "is one
Where many glooms abide;
Toned by its fortune to a deadly dun --
Lightless on every side.

I glanced aloft and halted, pleasure-caught
To see the contrast there:
The ray-lit clouds gleamed glory; and I thought,
"There's solace everywhere!"

Then bitter self-reproaches as I stood
I dealt me silently
As one perverse -- misrepresenting Good
In graceless mutiny.

Against the horizon's dim-descerned wheel
A form rose, strange of mould:
That he was hideous, hopeless, I could feel
Rather than could behold.

"'Tis a dead spot, where even the light lies spent
To darkness!" croaked the Thing.
"Not if you look aloft!" said I, intent
On my new reasoning.

"Yea -- but await awhile!" he cried. "Ho-ho! --
Look now aloft and see!"
I looked. There, too, sat night: Heaven's radiant show
Had gone. Then chuckled he.






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