Have you ever watched a love story where the good-bye kiss takes place and the camera stays with the person left standing alone? This poem reminds me of this. It seems to be a conversation possibly between old friends, and one of them is telling the story of his love for a young woman.
He speaks of how they kissed; and as she departed, she gradually faded from his sight. She disappeared in the crowd as she walked down the platform to board her train. It is possible that it was in the evening because the lights on the platform were on. During the conversation, the young man continues to explain how his love keeps darting in and out of the crowd until she disappears completely into the crowd.
“We have penned new plans since that fair find day, and in season she will appear again” (Hardy 17-18). Since that day of the departure, the couple has made plans. To him, she will be a beautiful sight for his eyes. He longs for the day to come.
Now there is no explanation given for the departure, but it is possible that it falls in line with an old saying along the lines of, if you love someone, let them go because if the relationship is meant to be, they will return.
This poem is a genuine love story from beginning to the end. The person shares his love for this woman with a friend they have departed but soon they will meet again. I also think of the same way if you love someone you should set them free and if they love you they will return.
ReplyDeleteReggie,
ReplyDeleteGood poem to discuss, with some OK observations. You don't go into much depth here, and I wish you had talked about how Hardy takes the romantic scene of parting and undermines it. There is the sense at the end that they won't get together, or at least that she won't mean as much to him as she did at this moment of parting. More exploration of passages might have helped you make a stronger post.
I would have to disagree with the point that if you set love then that person will you return to you. Maybe its because I went through this situation with my very first boyfriend, and that motto didnt work out for us. I do however agree with the fact that if you set love free and it comes back then it was meant to me. In my case it wasn't.
ReplyDeleteLauren I sorry it did not work out for you and your first boyfriend, but just because it did not work with one does not mean the saying is true. Although they may seem the same at times, there is a big difference between love and lust.
ReplyDelete