Neutral tones-Thomas Hardy

• "We stood by a pond that winter day"

  This line sets the scene and the tone of the poem. The winter day suggests a cold, lifeless setting, which mirrors the speaker’s feelings about a love that has ended.
• "And the sun was white, as though chidden of God"


  The sun, usually a symbol of warmth and life, is described as white and as if it has been rebuked by God. This could symbolize the lack of warmth and vitality in the speaker’s relationship.
• And a few leaves lay on the starving sod; – They had fallen from an ash, and were grey"


  The imagery of fallen, grey leaves on the starving ground further emphasizes the bleakness and death-like quality of the speaker’s feelings. The colour grey and the word “starving” suggest a lack of life and vibrancy.
• "Your eyes on me were as eyes that rove Over tedious riddles of years ago"


  This line suggests a lack of understanding and connection between the speaker and his lover. The use of the word “tedious” implies that their relationship has become dull and uninteresting.
• "The smile on your mouth was the deadest thing Alive enough to have strength to die"


  This powerful line uses paradox to express the speaker’s pain. The smile, which is usually a sign of happiness, is described as “the deadest thing”. This could symbolize the end of their love and the pain it has caused.
• These lines reflect the themes of love, loss, and disillusionment that are central to the poem. The poem is a reflection on a past relationship, using nature imagery to convey the speaker’s feelings of disappointment and despair.