Thomas Hardy's Poetry

I enjoyed Thomas Hardy’s poems.  Though dark, I thought they were quiet interesting.  I enjoyed “Neutral Tones” the most.  I gathered that it was about a break up, or dead love.  I thought it was really intriguing the way he tied in the feeling of a break up with bland, neutral colors. I really liked the first paragraph of the poem where he describes their surroundings by a pond with neutral colors.  His style seems overall pretty straightforward, but metaphorical and representative through specific words.  Also, in  his poem “The Darkling Thrush”,  he talks about a winters day with gorgeous similes and metaphors, particularly speaking of the land as a “corpse” and the aspects of the day as certain qualities of this corpse.  Both of these poems, as well as his others, are similar in style while the content differs.  I’d say his poems are relatively dark, but eloquent and purposeful. 

A.E. Houseman's Poetry

A.E. Houseman’s poetry seems a little lighter, and simpler.  “Lovliest of trees, the cherry now”, seems somewhat lighthearted.  He writes his “To an Athlete Dying Young” poem in an AABB rhyming scheme, which I also perceived as light, though the topic is not as joyful as maybe the style of writing lets on.   However, both are easy to read and understand.  I think the simplicity of the perceived message is due to possible personal experience or observation of Houseman.  I enjoyed both poems.  I like Houseman’s style of writing in both poems, it definitely reflects that his writing is the medium between his thoughts in the world.  While “Lovliest of Trees, The Cherry Now” seems somewhat hopeful, and “To an Athlete Dying Young” seems more borderline depressing, they are both written in such non chalence.  Houseman, to me, seems to have a more carefree, bouncy writing style which I found to be more entertaining and helpful in understanding his poetry.

Edward Thomas' Poetry

Instead of metaphorical sonnets, Edward Thomas seems to write more realistically and descriptively.  His poem “February Afternoon” seems to, obviously, be about a warfront.  Just at first reading, it could potentially be a first hand experience, or just a general idea of what the war would be like.  His descriptive stanzas entice the reader to imagine what he is specifically talking about so they can create their own visual images via his poetry.   Also, “Adelstrop” seems to be written in a first person, descriptive manner.  It seems instead of writing symbolism and metaphors, he is telling an account of a vivid memory or idea.  This writing style is seen in both of Thomas’ poems assigned.  I think this fashion of writing seems to entertain the reader and encourage thought-provoking stimulation.