"Between Us Now" Poem by Thomas Hardy

"Between Us Now"

Rating: 3.3


Between us now and here -
   Two thrown together
Who are not wont to wear
   Life's flushest feather -
Who see the scenes slide past,
The daytimes dimming fast,
Let there be truth at last,
   Even if despair.

So thoroughly and long
   Have you now known me,
So real in faith and strong
   Have I now shown me,
That nothing needs disguise
Further in any wise,
Or asks or justifies
   A guarded tongue.

Face unto face, then, say,
   Eyes mine own meeting,
Is your heart far away,
   Or with mine beating?
When false things are brought low,
And swift things have grown slow,
Feigning like froth shall go,
   Faith be for aye.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Tom Landino 20 February 2014

Others, like myself, who are not familiar with British dialect may not have understood the last line of this poem. The OED, however, gives the clue which is that aye also spelt as ay but rhyming with may or say means ever. So, in this line FAITH BE FOR AYE means FAITH BE FOR EVER.

32 3 Reply
Kentucky Refugee 28 February 2008

Thomas Hardy's prose shows his familiarity with the depth of despair, and the reasons for it. This poem shows his willingness to hope. I like him better knowing that he wrote such poetry.

18 6 Reply
George J. Carroll 09 October 2011

Love is what he is missing in the spoken word from his fair damsel

9 8 Reply
Robert Puglia 27 July 2013

few understand the frailties of humankind so plainly nor forgive them so elegantly as thomas hardy. i love this guy.

13 4 Reply
Douglas Scotney 01 October 2018

daring her to say what he sees

3 1 Reply
Norin Sulaiman 02 April 2024

Its a beautiful poem.

1 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 02 April 2024

The poet confronts the past with a desire for truth, even if this leads to despair. The poem captures the bittersweet essence of love and the pain of what once was but is no more!

1 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 02 April 2024

Amazingly honoured by Poem Hunter and Team as again The Classic Poem Of The day.

0 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 22 March 2024

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: a beautiful poem by the world famous poet Thomas Hardy. Three time chosen by Poem Hunter and Team as The Classic Poem Of The Day.Once again: Congratulations

1 0 Reply
Sylvia Frances Chan 22 March 2024

FOUR: The poet confronts the past with a desire for truth, even if this leads to despair. The poem captures the bittersweet essence of love and the pain of what once was but is no more.

1 0 Reply
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Thomas Hardy

Thomas Hardy

Dorchester / England
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