Thoughts Of Phena Comments

It is a sad story if true that lies behind this work. Following a five-year courtship with the subject of the poem and just as they were set to be married Hardy discovered that the two were cousins. That, according to the mores of the day, would have made the marriage incestuous so they broke off the engagement and never saw each other again. Years later when Hardy learned of her death he wrote this wonderful poem about memory, love, loss, and regret.

Regrets at her passing, and he with no photo, no news of her last days. Only the distant memories of her when younger and beautiful. Who has not bee there?