The Voice

Portrait of Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy 1840–1928

Woman much missed, how you call to me, call to me, Saying that now you are not as you were When you had changed from the one who was all to me, But as at first, when our day was fair.

Can it be you that I hear? Let me view you, then, Standing as when I drew near to the town Where you would wait for me: yes, as I knew you then, Even to the original air-blue gown!

Or is it only the breeze in its listlessness Travelling across the wet mead to me here, You being ever dissolved to wan wistlessness, Heard no more again far or near?

Thus I; faltering forward, Leaves around me falling, Wind oozing thin through the thorn from norward, And the woman calling.

Keep reading

Discover more of Thomas Hardy’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 6 comments

Add your reading ↓
Readers
6
Longest reading
Vasi48 words
  1. Vasi United Kingdom

    There is nothing to say that hasn't been said,
    Nothing to quote or new to find
    Or not anything that isn't in anticipation read,
    For here lies the heart the man of intricate words,
    Next to his darling but non next to him,
    A heart for all man-kind.

  2. Patricia Argentina

    This poem reflects the feelings of the author related to the war.

  3. Tadeka South Africa

    very confused

    is the woman dead or not in the poem

  4. donut Australia

    the voice

    the voice poem is one of the best poems i've read in my life..it's sad but has nice meaning inside it.the poet feels bad and guilty because his wife died before he could actually fix his relationship with her.he is criticizing her about their past together

  5. alaa Egypt

    aromantic voice

    it is one of the greatest poems i have red

  6. THE IRONY New Zealand

    IDIOT

    @aromantic voice
    You idiot how can you spell read wrong? you are so dum!

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.