bridge over the Stour

Colber foot-bridge at Sturminster Newton, Dorset.

 

Between July 1876 and March 1878 Thomas Hardy lived at Riverside Villa, just outside the town. This was the happiest period of his marriage, and whilst here he wrote The Return of the Native (1878) and several poems, such as ‘Overlooking the River Stour’ and ‘On Sturminster Foot-Bridge’ relating to the view, the river and the Mill walk.

 

'On Sturminster foot-bridge'

 

Reticulations creep upon the slack stream’s face

When the wind skims irritably past,

The current clucks smartly into each hollow place

That years of flood have scrabbled in the pier’s sodden base;

The floating lily leaves rot fast.

On a roof stand the swallows ranged in wistful waiting rows,

Till they arrow off and drop like stones

Among the eyot-withies at whose feet the river flows:

And beneath the roof is she who in the dark world shows

As a lattice-gleam when midnight moans.

T.H.

Done