Dr Iain McGilchrist | Daily Poetry Readings #325: A Broken Appointment by Thomas Hardy read by Dr Iain McGilchrist @DrIainMcGilchrist | Uploaded March 2021 | Updated October 2024, 4 hours ago.
Part 325 of a daily series of readings of his favourite poetry by Dr Iain McGilchrist, author of The Master and His Emissary. Today's poem is A Broken Appointment by Thomas Hardy.

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~ A Broken Appointment by Thomas Hardy ~

You did not come,
And marching Time drew on, and wore me numb,—
Yet less for loss of your dear presence there
Than that I thus found lacking in your make
That high compassion which can overbear
Reluctance for pure lovingkindness’ sake
Grieved I, when, as the hope-hour stroked its sum,
You did not come.

You love not me,
And love alone can lend you loyalty;
–I know and knew it. But, unto the store
Of human deeds divine in all but name,
Was it not worth a little hour or more
To add yet this: Once you, a woman, came
To soothe a time-torn man; even though it be
You love not me?