A Thunderstorm in Town

Thomas Hardy

1840 to 1928

Poem Image

(A Reminiscence: 1893) 

She wore a new "terra-cotta" dress, 
And we stayed, because of the pelting storm, 
Within the hansom's dry recess, 
Though the horse had stopped; yea, motionless 
We sat on, snug and warm. 

Then the downpour ceased, to my sharp sad pain 
And the glass that had screened our forms before 
Flew up, and out she sprang to her door: 
I should have kissed her if the rain 
Had lasted a minute more.