Thomas Hardys novels are loved by millions of readers, but he was first and foremost a poet. He wrote around one thousand moving and deeply personal poems during his lifetime, tracing his experiences of life and love. This collection, selected and introduced by Claire Tomalin, Hardys biographer, provides rich insight into Hardys thoughts and emotions, and is central to the understanding of the man and his work. Divided into sections that move through the contours of Hardys life - the English countryside in which he walked and the astonishing burst of creativity that followed the death of his estranged wife, Emma - this collection is essential for all those who love Hardy.