WE stood by a pond that winter day, <br /> And the sun was white, as though chidden of God, <br /> And a few leaves lay on the starving sod, <br /> --They had fallen from an ash, and were gray. <br /> <br /> Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove <br /> Over tedious riddles solved years ago; <br /> And some words played between us to and fro-- <br /> On which lost the more by our love. <br /> <br /> The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing <br /> Alive enough to have strength to die; <br /> And a grin of bitterness swept thereby <br /> Like an ominous bird a-wing.... <br /> <br /> Since then, keen lessons that love deceives, <br /> And wrings with wrong, have shaped to me <br /> Your face, and the God-curst sun, and a tree, <br /> And a pond edged with grayish leaves.<br /><br />Thomas Hardy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/neutral-tones/
