Poem by Thomas Hardy

The Glimpse

She sped through the door
And, following in haste,
And stirred to the core,
I entered hot-faced;
But I could not find her,
No sign was behind her.
‘Where is she?’ I said:
– ‘Who?’ they asked that sat there;
‘Not a soul’s come in sight.’
– ‘A maid with red hair.’
– ‘Ah.’ They paled. ‘She is dead.
People see her at night,
But you are the first
On whom she has burst
In the keen common light.’
It was ages ago,
When I was quite strong:
I have waited since, – O,
I have waited so long!
– Yea, I set me to own
The house, where now lone
I dwell in void rooms
Booming hollow as tombs!
But I never come near her,
Though nightly I hear her.
And my cheek has grown thin
And my hair has grown gray
With this waiting therein;
But she still keeps away!

1. The Supplanter
2. Afternoon Service at Mellstock
3. At the Word ‘Farewell’
4. Tragedian to Tragedienne
5. The Three Tall Men

William Watson The Glimpse ("Just for a day you crossed my life's dull track")

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