Our Poetry ChapbookOn

Thomas Hardy

By:Trysten Evans

&Samantha Zegarra

The Life and WorksOf

Thomas Hardy

By:Trysten Evans

&Samantha Zegarra

Copyright 2010. Frank R. ConwellMiddle School #4. Mr. Gomez and Ms. Webb

All Right Reserved.

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All the content in this book is intended for educational purposes only.

Dedication

We would like to dedicate this book to those interested in the works of Thomas Hardy, and love poems about

death and heartbreak. Finally, we would like to dedicate this book to the idiots of the world. May you

learn something you can't kill us with.

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Table of Contents:

1. Introducing Thomas Hardy…………………………………5

2. Poetry in our Eyes ……………………………………………6

3. Glossary and Terms …………………………………….……7

4. The Life and times of Thomas Hardy……………………9

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5. Original Poetry……….. ……………………………….…….10

6. Today’s Topic………………………………………………….16

Entering our chapbookOur world is made up by categories. We

thrive on organization and the need to be separated by status; “The rich,” “The poor” “The famous,” Even the unknown. Though

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little to few, are known for falling under the “Exceptional writers column” Even deeper,

“Marvelous Poets section.” For we as consumers are to bust to care. So we send such off, boxed and decorated in a corner. One of those genius writers can easily be

classified as Thomas Hardy.

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Poetry in our eyesPoetry is more than just words on a paper. These words make up thoughts and ideas. Poetry is a way to express your feelings in a unique and creative way. These words should express your feelings. The words should be so eloquent. So eloquent that the reader feels like they are actually there. They should be able to use their 5 senses to feel the story taking place. So deep into the story you are suddenly hit with a twist. You realize you a reading a masterpiece.  In my opinion, poetry is music to the humbled soul. Just like music, there are many ways to express yourself. Some such as I might even consider music, poetry with rhythm. In my opinion, most feelings that derive from within can never be truly celebrated. They are always lost in thought, and in most cases, life itself. To me, poetry is not a few words on a loose leaf paper or a way of life; it's a way to deal with life. I don’t truly believe poetry needs to rhyme or

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have any sort of structure. I believe it takes away from the poem, as if you were trying too hard to write a poem. I think it should be about how you were feeling at the moment. Not that you decided to write a haiku.  

Poetic Terms and FormsConcrete Poem - A poem created in the form of an image, in order to give the meaning of the poem more power.

Free Verse - A form of Poetry with no, true poetic structure of rhyme scheme.

Haiku - A poem consisting of 3 lines. Lines 1 and 3 have 5 syllables, while line 2 has 7 syllables.

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Imagery - The use of descriptive terms allowing the reader to create a mental image.

Lyrical Poem - A short poem with song like qualities such as repetitive words and rhymes.

Metaphor:The comparison of an object or idea. In most cases without using words like or as.

Narrative Poem - A poem containing a story line and plot. Such poems resemble essays, stories, the works. 

Onomatopoeia:The use of descriptive sounds like sizzle or bang-clang!

Quatrain:A poetic form consisting of 4 lines with a rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b. 

Poetic Terms and forms Continued

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Quintet: A poetic form consisting of 5 lines with the rhyme scheme of a-b-a-b-b

Rondeau:A poetic form consisting of 13 lines and two different rhyme schemes - a-a-b-b-a and a-a-b-x a-a-b-b-a-x.Example:You bid me try, blue eyes, to writeA rondeau. What! – forthwith – to-night?Reflect. Some skill I have, tis true;But thirteen lines – and rhymed on two!‘Refrain,’ as well. Ah, hapless plight!Still, here are five lines – ranged aright.These Gallic bonds, I feared, would frightMy easy Muse. They did till you –You bid me try!This makes them nine. The port’s in sight;‘Tis all because your eyes are bright!Now, just a pair to end with ‘oo’ –When maids command, what can’t we do?Behold! The rondeau – tasteful, light –You bid me try! (a-a-b-x     a-a-b-b-a-x.)

Thomas Hardy1840-1928

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Thomas Hardy: 1840-1928

Today he is known as a sophisticated poet, but he grew up working as a stonemason and local builder. He lived in Dorset, England with his mother, Jemima, and his father, Thomas. His mother educated him until he was old enough to attend school. There he learned to speak Latin and demonstrated academic potential. Hardy moved to London in 1874 where he enrolled as a student at Kings College. Hardy never felt at home in London. Five years later, concerned about his health, Thomas returned to Dorset and dedicated his life to writing.

In 1870 Hardy met and fell in love with Emma Lavina Gifford, whom he married in 1874. His wife soon died 38 years later in 1912. This event had a traumatic impact on Hardy, and he never truly got over her death. He later remarried his secretary, Florence Emily Dugdale. He was still preoccupied with his first wife’s death and tried to overcome his remorse by writing poetry about her. Hardy became ill with Pleurisy in December of 1927 and died on January 11, 1928. Hardy and his family and friends had wished for his

body to be interred at Stinsford in the same grave as his first wife, Emma. However, his executor, Sir Sydney Carlyle Cockerell, insisted that he be placed in the Abbey’s Famous Poet’s Corner. A compromise was reached; the compromise was that his heart would be buried with Emma and his ashes in the Poet’s Corner. Shortly after Hardy’s death, the executors of his estate burnt his letters and notebooks; only twelve survived.

Some of Hardy’s most famous novels included Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Far from the Madding Crowd. Most of his novels were composed for financial gain.

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Original Poetry

Death has come – By: Samantha Z.

So painful and calmWith just a blink of an eye

You are gone for good

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If Happiness Would Change the Ways

By: Trysten E.

Neither is preferredRain nor sun can change my mood

Shall it stay the same.

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Mood KillerBy: Trysten E.

When the brightest of days can saunter over

Your aura brings a cloud that can damper my mood.

I try to avoid it but I’m incapable of such.What can I say, what can I do.

Your depressing stages expire my blissful tude.

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Yet you don’t care how it affects the light.

It never feels like you care about my life.Yet I sit and stare as you criticize my

way.For sooner or later, I'll be on my way.

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A picture of Thomas Hardy with the names of some of his works. Created by: Samantha Zegarra

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A picture of a skull and crossbones with words that sometimes come to mind when you think of death. Created by: Samantha Zegarra

Rebellious No MoreBy: Trysten E.

Once upon a time lived a princessWho ruled the land of Lies

Pretending to be happyall of the time.

She suddenly found herselfWatching it all,

Though never once,17

took the fall.

The things that she did were not wrongBut in fact,Never right

So with the flick of her wristShe rebelled against all

But the town in fact rebelled against her

Over thrown,She lost her throne.

Today’s topic… Death.

Death indeed is a very touchy subject. There

are many reasons as to why we rarely talk about

it. Maybe the recent passing of a loved one,

possibly even the fear of being shunned for your

opinion. At the moment, forget those fears. 18

Question yourself as to how you see death. Be

open to new ideas and see where you get. You

might even feel better by the end of this article.

For years at end, people have been creating

their own views on the topic. Myths can even be

traced as far back as 5,000 years ago. Back to

the time period owned by the ancient Egyptians.

Dead set on their theory, it was lead to believe

that life after death existed. Though what does it

mean; life after death? With word from the wise,

life after death was considered a bliss symbol.

The afterlife was said to be beautiful. A place of

extraordinary beauty and worriless life. Man

would not have to suffer imperfections, on

suffered from during life on earth. 19

It is believed by the Egyptians that if well

preserved and sent off with good blessing, those

of especially higher importance will be sent off

into the afterlife. Though many important things

were necessary for the soul to re-enter the

afterlife. In fact, the soul was known to be

priceless, and the most valuable of the body. For

how can one live without the warmth of their

soul? Indeed, not. With the conversion of

Egyptian culture to that of the Christian religion,

the sense of Afterlife vanished. By the fourth

Century AD, Egyptian mummification and myths

of After Life become no more.

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Now in a modernized world, we have yet to

consider death with such detail. When such is

known to happen, why do we never take time to

ponder? Could it be that we are scared of the

very thought? Or do we just not care? So we

decidedly challenged our readers to take matters

into their own hands and fearlessly and willingly

answer one simple question; how to you feel

about death?

Answers vary, in more ways than one. In

many ways, they seemed to be quite similar. In

more cases than one, people considered death

both a good thing as well as a bad thing; a

blessing in fact. One, who has suffered for most

of their life, might have been better off with 21

death. Then you in fact, are left with the comfort

of knowing that they are out of their pain.

Other’s are lead to believe that in few cases,

death is a good thing, not for reasons such as

that above, but in fact, for the opposite. Not that

they had been a person serving good deeds

throughout the world, but for unruly sinning. An

axe murderer, running around with blood on

their hands, does not deserve to live in the eyes

of many. So death in this case does not play in

their favor. Though considering the topic now,

and then, does not differ. No matter when or

where you live, it requires thought, but as well

an open mind.

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Website Synopsis

 Death beyond the Pages is a web based extra features page to

compliment the true meaning of our website. As well, a blog can be found on our website allowing you the reader to give a brief or

detailed synopsis of your views on death. Please enjoy.

Please visit our website at www.deathbeyondthepages.weebly.com.

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" Outstanding! So much intensity! I couldn't look away."                                                                                        

- A.A.C Foundation. " Most Awesome Death Website ever!"

                                                - The Creators of Tiny-huge World and the Slap Face Graffiti Emporium.

 "The book is intense; I could even feel a ghostly presence appear."                                                                          

  - Wall street Journal

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$10.99 U.S.$12.99 Canada