The Lost Pyx: A Mediaeval Legend

[Jane]

Janz, I understand exactly how you feel. I, too, felt daunted about this aspect when joining the group. In fact, it took me 10 years to join any sort of group at all. I know nothing of rhyme schemes and such. Don't let that put you off. Personally, I do not feel the need to learn the technical elements of poetic composition. Perhaps I might pick up a thing or two along the way. With my memory, perhaps not.

We're not experts, and sometimes we need to do a little 'homework' to get it to make sense. Well, I certainly do! I will add, for me it's been worthwhile. We might occasionally discuss different meanings and even disagree, but these are, for the most part, simply subjective points of views. I'm sure you've come across this in the novel reading groups, too. We each have our own little perspectives. With poetry in particular, there is greater leeway for interpretation. It's not for others to decide what is a 'worthwhile' thought. To me, even a differing point of view can add a facet to the overall picture. Often, ambiguity itself adds richness.

The key is to not feel pressured about participation. Some poems will speak more than others; feel free to say whatever comes to mind, whenever you like.

[Bionic Jean, Moderator]

Peacejanz wrote: "I am new to the group. I love literature but have never learned to love poetry..."

Dear Janz,

What Jane says is absolutely true! We all react to poetry in different ways. Not everyone is analytical - in fact this aspect can put some people off! If anyone is reading this who feels that way, then please do skip some of the meatier comments and add your own.

Some people just like to listen to a poem by Thomas Hardy as if it's a sort of song. Others also respond with their emotions, either to what it sounds like, or what it makes them feel. I love to read these responses, as they are true and from the heart. 😊

Others prefer a scholarly approach; liking to tease out the structure, or go into some of the background. This is fine too!

Please, never feel put off from commenting because you don't think you know enough. Apart from the fact that we are all at different levels, and have our own reading journey, different approaches to poetry are all valid.

[Connie]

Peacejanz, I'm glad you're reading along with us. Many of us are new to Thomas Hardy and his poetry so please feel comfortable offering your thoughts. We often have different interpretations of the poems or have a different emotional response to the writing.

[Peacejanz]

Jane wrote: "Janz, I understand exactly how you feel. I, too, felt daunted about this aspect when joining the group. In fact, it took me 10 years to join any sort of group at all. I know nothing of rhyme scheme..."

Thank you, Jane. I may not understand but I can always learn something, even if it is just the meaning of a new word. Thanks for the encouragement. Maybe my gravestone will read "poetry learner." My self made business card reads - learner, retired from real work. Thank you again, Jane, for such encouraging words. peace, janz

[Peacejanz]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Peacejanz wrote: "I am new to the group. I love literature but have never learned to love poetry..."

Dear Janz,

What Jane says is absolutely true! We all react to poetry in different ways. Not e..."
Thank you. And thanks for organizing (?) this discussion thread. peace, janz

[Peacejanz]

Connie wrote: "Peacejanz, I'm glad you're reading along with us. Many of us are new to Thomas Hardy and his poetry so please feel comfortable offering your thoughts. We often have different interpretations of the..."

Thank you for the encouragement, Connie. I appreciate it. And I realize that I often can come up with a different view than others. I do not mind being the outsider or the contrarian. I am too old to get offended by someone's words unless they are racist, sexist, etc. peace, janz

[Werner]

I'm coming to this party very late! But I recently read this poem as part of my ongoing reading of Complete Poems of Thomas Hardy. Like others here, I immediately picked up on the thematic echo of "the Oxen" (though that one was written later). The latter is one of my favorite Hardy poems, and I'd put this one in that group as well.

As he noted more than once (in his prefaces to the poetry collections he published in his lifetime), Hardy wrote his verse in various moods. Both of those two poems show him in what we might call his "wistful agnostic" mood. He's simply recounting this as a "mystic tale" --but he enters into it very fully and sympathetically, as one who is perhaps (as he says in "The Oxen") "hoping it might be so."

[Connie]

Werner wrote: "He's simply recounting this as a "mystic tale" --but he enters into it very fully and sympathetically, as one who is perhaps (as he says in "The Oxen") "hoping it might be so..."

That's a good observation, Werner. Many of the folktales and the allegorical Bible stories he learned as a child are quite lovely. Even if he was not a believer himself, he transmitted the sense of faith and wonder from the folktales to his poetry.

[Werner]

Connie wrote: "Even if he was not a believer himself, he transmitted the sense of faith and wonder from the folktales to his poetry."

Yes, he certainly does that here!