The Shadow on the Stone
Thomas Hardy
I went by the Druid stone
That stands in the garden white and lone,
And I stopped and looked at the shifting shadows
That at some moments there are thrown
From the tree hard by with a rhythmic swing,
And they shaped in my imagining
To the shade that a well-known head and shoulders
Threw there when she was gardening.
I thought her behind my back,
Yea, her I long had learned to lack,
And I said: “I am sure you are standing behind me,
Though how do you get into this old track?”
And there was no sound but the fall of a leaf
As a sad response; and to keep down grief
I would not turn my head to discover
That there was nothing in my belief.
Yet I wanted to look and see
That nobody stood at the back of me;
But I thought once more: “Nay, I’ll not unvision
A shape which, somehow, there may be.”
So I went on softly from the glade,
And left her behind me throwing her shade,
As she were indeed an apparition—
My head unturned lest my dream should fade.
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sad poem. 🙁
Hi Art. Thank you for the comment. It is a sad poem. When I read it it I related to it. I experienced the poem a number of times after my wife died. I shared the poem with a friend who recently lost a partner. My friend thanked me and said she deep meaning for her. I decided to post it. Have a great day. Shine on. Ray
so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine. I have things that occur like that. My wife is still with me, but there are times I see my cat that passed away and refuse to check because I know it’s all in my head.
Thanks, Art. I didn’t understand grieving until I experienced it. Your experience with your cat is a good example. I think we experience grief at a deep level when a pet dies. I can say that I learned a lot from grieving and it transformed me in many ways, all positive.Willie Nelson sings, in one of his songs, “some things you don’t get over, you just get through.” Have a great day. Ray
yes. very true. one of my best friends passed away in a cat accident in the mid 80s. I still have not gotten over it but I do get through. 🙂
Yes, Art. I know you get it. Peace, Ray
thank you Ray same to you 🙂