Winter in Durnover Field

By Thomas Hardy

6/2/1840-1/11/1928

Scene.--A wide stretch of fallow ground recently sown with wheat, and
frozen to iron hardness. Three large birds walking about thereon,
and wistfully eyeing the surface. Wind keen from north-east: sky a
dull grey.

(Triolet)

Rook.--Throughout the field I find no grain;
         The cruel frost encrusts the cornland!
Starling.--Aye: patient pecking now is vain
         Throughout the field, I find . . .
Rook.--No grain!
Pigeon.--Nor will be, comrade, till it rain,
         Or genial thawings loose the lorn land
         Throughout the field.
Rook.--I find no grain:
         The cruel frost encrusts the cornland!

DayPoems Poem No. 1058
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1058.html">Winter in Durnover Field by Thomas Hardy</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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