Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SHORTENING DAYS AT THE HOMESTEAD, by THOMAS HARDY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The first fire since the summer is lit, and is smoking into the room Last Line: His mill, and tubs, and vat, and press. | ||||||||
THE first fire since the summer is lit, and is smoking into the room: The sun-rays thread it through, like woof-lines in a loom. Sparrows spurt from the hedge, whom misgivings appal That winter did not leave last year for ever, after all. Like shock-headed urchins, spiny-haired, Stand pollard willows, their twigs just bared. Who is this coming with pondering pace, Black and ruddy, with white embossed, His eyes being black, and ruddy his face, And the marge of his hair like morning frost? It's the cider-maker, And appletree-shaker, And behind him on wheels, in readiness, His mill, and tubs, and vat, and press. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEN WHO MARCH AWAY' (SONG OF THE SOLDIERS) by THOMAS HARDY A BROKEN APPOINTMENT by THOMAS HARDY A CHRISTMAS GHOST-STORY; CHRISTMAS-EVE 1899 by THOMAS HARDY A THOUGHT IN TWO MOODS by THOMAS HARDY A THUNDERSTORM IN TOWN by THOMAS HARDY A TRAMPWOMAN'S TRAGEDY by THOMAS HARDY A WIFE IN LONDON by THOMAS HARDY ACCORDING TO THE MIGHTY WORKING by THOMAS HARDY |
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