Selected Shorter Poems Of Thomas Hardy

Ah, the poetry of Thomas Hardy, one of the few men who could make a rainy day feel like a solemn occasion. If you’ve ever been in a mood so melancholy that even the clouds outside seem to judge you, then this book is your ideal companion. Published in 1966 by Macmillan, this collection of Selected Shorter Poems offers a glimpse into the mind of a man who viewed life with a mixture of wry irony and gut-wrenching sincerity. It’s the perfect sort of reading for those who want to feel a little bit better about their own bleak existence while basking in the glow of Hardy’s existential musings.

The cover, a faded tapestry of once vibrant hues, captures the essence of Hardy’s world—a place where love is often thwarted by fate, and nature is an indifferent observer. It’s as if the universe itself decided it was time to throw some proverbial rain on your parade, and Hardy, with his quill, merely chronicled the downpour. Pick this book up, and you’ll find yourself pondering the nature of existence while eyeing the sky, half-expecting it to open up and rain down your own poetic tragedy.

Why read Hardy, you ask? Let’s list a few delightful reasons:

• He’ll make your sad poetry scribbles look cheerful in comparison.
• You’ll learn that the term “heartbreak” has depths you’d never imagined.
• His use of rural imagery may inspire you to start a garden—only to realize you have no idea how to keep plants alive.
• Each poem is a reminder that time is a relentless thief, and you’re just its hapless victim.
• He has a knack for making you feel superior—at least your life isn’t as tragic as the poor souls in his verses.

In this selection, Hardy expertly distills the essence of human folly into verses that manage to be both grandiose and painfully relatable. His themes echo through the ages—love, loss, and that nagging feeling that perhaps the universe has forgotten your address. Reading this book is akin to visiting a quaint English village where everyone is lamenting the fact that the sun never quite shines on their garden parties, and yet they continue to host them with an air of resigned charm.

As you sift through the pages, expect to encounter lines that linger in your mind like an unwelcome guest—essentially the mental equivalent of eating a rich dessert that you know you shouldn’t but can’t resist. Each poem is a morsel of Hardy’s philosophical questioning, designed to leave you pondering even long after the last page is turned. There’s a sense of camaraderie found in shared despair, and who better to share that with than a poet whose own heart seemed forever trapped in a tumultuous tempest?

Condition: This copy is used, which means it has seen its fair share of rainy afternoons and cups of tea, and perhaps a few existential crises. Expect dog-eared pages and margin notes that may or may not be the ramblings of a previous owner who felt particularly connected to Hardy’s lamentations. The spine might be cracked, but like Hardy’s own poignant observations, it holds together just enough to keep you captivated.

So, grab this book from Crappy Old Books and allow yourself to be whisked away—albeit to a somewhat dreary place where joy is rationed and melancholy flows freely. Because really, who doesn’t want to wallow in beautifully crafted verses that remind you life is but a series of unfortunate events? Happy reading, and may your heartache be ever so poetic!

Keep browsing: See more Poetry books Other books by Thomas Hardy