A Popular Personage at Home

by Thomas Hardy (1925) — a poem card from Justes Mots

Spoken from the perspective of Wessex, Hardy's beloved dog, the poem captures a dog's innocent confidence in the permanence of his daily walk and meadow home, tinged with an unconscious awareness of mortality. Hardy's wry anthropomorphism gives voice to animal consciousness while exploring themes of time and impermanence. The poem celebrates loyal companionship and the ephemeral beauty of routine, suitable for pet lovers or reflections on home.

“ I LIVE here : ‘ Wessex ’ is my name :
I am a dog known rather well :
I guard the house ; but how that came
To be my whim I cannot tell.

“ With a leap and a heart elate I go
At the end of an hour’s expectancy
To take a walk of a mile or so…

Themes: love · new-baby · wedding · friendship