“Ah, Are you digging on my grave?” is a poem by Thomas Hardy– a famous English novelist & poet. The poem is based on the idea that no human emotion outlasts death. Life never stops with someone’s death. Every person related to the deceased moves on, in his or her life.
Ah, Are you digging on my grave?
“Ah, are you digging on my grave,
My, loved one?– planting rue?”
— “No: yesterday he went to wed
One of the brightest wealth has bred.
‘It cannot hurt her now,’ he said,
‘That I should be true.'”
“Then who is digging on my grave,
My nearest dearest kin?”
— “Ah, no: they sit and think, ‘what use!’
What good will planting flowers produce?
No tendance of her mound can loose
Her spirit from Death’s gin.'”
“But someone digs upon my grave?
My enemy?– prodding sly?”
— “Nay: when she heard you had passed the gate
That shuts on all flesh soon or late,
She thought you no more worth her hate,
And cares not where you lie.'”
“Then, who is digging on my grave?
Say– since I have not guessed!”
— “O it is I, my mistress dear,
Your little dog, who still lives near,
And much I hope my movements here
Have not disturbed your rest?”
“Ah yes! You dig upon my grave…
Why flashed it not to me
That one true heart was left behind!
What feeling do we ever find
To equal among human kind
A Dog’s fidelity!”
“Mistress, I dug upon your grave
To bury a bone, in case
I should be hungry near this spot
When passing on my daily trot.
I am sorry, but I quite forgot
It was your resting place.”
– Thomas Hardy
So did you enjoy reading the poem? Have you read it earlier? What are your views on the theme of the poem? Do share your thoughts. Thanks.
Previous Poems:
It’s not a poem, it’s the REALITY OF LIFE..
Thanks for sharing Suraj…
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It is, indeed.
Thats why they say, ” Literature is a reflection of life.”
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Love his poems more than his sob novels!
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Well, his novels are indeed sob novels. Today itself I was discussing Jude the obscure with my professor.
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Jude, Tess, phew! I’ve had a tough time going through all of them!
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Well, I’m yet to get my hands on any of Hardy’s novels. Perhaps I’ll have some in my MA.
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Bachelor’s in English? Which uni? You can always borrow books from the library!
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Yeah… Bachelors… Will graduate in 5 months from GNDU Amritsar.
And yes, I do borrow books from library. I’ll get one of Hardy’s novels ASAP.
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All best with your course and for Hardy!
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Thanks a ton!
Be in touch.
Cheers. 🙂
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