Who were the twain that trod this track
So many times together
Hither and back,
In spells of certain and uncertain weather?
Commonplace in conduct they
Who wandered to and fro here
Day by day:
Two that few dwellers troubled themselves to know here.
The very gravel-path was prim
That daily they would follow:
Borders trim:
Never a wayward sprout, or hump, or hollow.
Trite usages in tamest style
Had tended to their plighting.
‘It’s just worth while,
Perhaps,’ they had said. ‘And saves much sad good-nighting.’
And petty seemed the happenings
That ministered to their joyance:
Simple things,
Onerous to satiate souls, increased their buoyance.
Who could those common people be,
Of days the plainest, barest?
They were we;
Yes; happier than the cleverest, smartest, rarest.
(Thomas Hardy)
More Poetry from Thomas Hardy:
Thomas Hardy Poems based on Topics: Soul, Weather- I have lived with shades (Thomas Hardy Poems)
- A King's Soliloquy [On the Night of His Funeral] (Thomas Hardy Poems)
- I said to love (Thomas Hardy Poems)
- A Dream Or No (Thomas Hardy Poems)
- Between us now (Thomas Hardy Poems)
- A Death-Day Recalled (Thomas Hardy Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Soul Poems, Weather PoemsBased on Keywords: ministered, happenings, plainest, smartest, barest, usages, cleverest, plighting, onerous, tamest, buoyance