Juxtaposes love and lifelessness to show emotional numbness after a failed relationship
we stood by a pond that day and the sun was white, as though chidden of God
Pathetic fallacy “white” to establish sadness and coldness from the start. “white” shows lack of colour (monochromatic imagery throughout) reflects lack of life between characters. White also has connotations of purity, juxtaposes “chidden of God” which suggests God rebuked the place.
a grin of bitterness swept by
Personifies emotion of bitterness suggests nature is purposefully positioned against relationship- speaker trying to justify separation.
structure
First stanza: creates gloomy setting
Second stanza: suggests relationship was a waste of time + is embittered by it
Third stanza: like 2nd stanza suggesting writer is unwaveringly resentful. Returns to natural setting: cyclical structure (stagnant nature of relationship) juxtaposes the end of relationship
rhyme
ABBA rhyme structure shows how hardy takes solace and comfort in regularity
Pace of poem is quickened by enjambement + terametre which contrasts to the stagnant nature of relationship. The caesura slows the poem down creates a claustrophobic and limiting atmosphere.
