"Afterwards" by Thomas Hardy (poetry reading)

This poem sounds like a church bell tolling Hardy's death knell, especially in the last lines. His heart is buried at St Michael's Church, Stinsford. In "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" and "Under the Greenwood Tree" he called the place Mellstock. Hardy has said, ""I shall sleep quite calmly at Stinsford, whatever happens."
http://neal.oxborrow.net/Thomas_Hardy/Stinsford_Church.htm

Actually it didn't happen quite the way he planned. His body was buried in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey and only his heart is buried at Stinsford, a gristly compromise. If you're curious enough to find out how that was accomplished you will probably wish that you hadn't.

Thomas Hardy's portrait is by Walter William Ouless.

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[OurManInMarrakessh]

All of Hardy's work's are brilliant, and this poem is no exception. Thanks for this.

[scifiwritir]

Love it! My fave has always been "Here lies one whose name was writ in water." I like it when those who think themselves too unimportant to be remembered are unforgotten. Thanks so much, Spoken. And great new pic, btw.

[TheClassicalFun]

Who we are as a soul, is much more to be seen when we passed away, just like the mountain can be noticed as a mountain just then completely, when we are watching it from a distance......

It is experiencing the inbeing more then.

That is a deep touch.

Wonderful to experience here, what happens inside the awareness of those who knew the man.

As if eyes are opening.

Light is coming in.

He. The one who saw.

And made them see.

And love.

[soapmode]

One of my favourites. Cheers.