On this day...........

Thomas Hardy was born in 1840; I live amidst the countryside he wrote about, here in Dorset, and enjoy seeing the Hardy room every time I visit the County Museum in Dorchester. I love Bockhampton, where he lived in the house that backs on to woods; have read most of his books and poetry and a lot of biographies and other works on him. I haven't visited Max Gate yet, but will get there one day.

Overlooking the river Stour

The swallows flew in the curves of an eight
Above the river-gleam
In the wet June's last beam:
Like little crossbows animate
The swallows flew in the curves of an eight
Above the river-gleam.

Planing up shavings of crystal spray
A moor-hen darted out
From the bank thereabout,
And through the stream-shine ripped his way;
Planing up shavings of crystal spray
A moor-hen darted out.

Closed were the kingcups; and the mead
Dripped in monotonous green,
Though the day's morning sheen
Had shown it golden and honeybee'd;
Closed were the kingcups; and the mead
Dripped in monotonous green.

And never I turned my head, alack,
While these things met my gaze
Through the pane's drop-drenched glaze,
To see the more behind my back . . . .
O never I turned, but let, alack,
These less things hold my gaze!