"Neutral Tones" is a poem written by Thomas Hardy that explores themes of love, loss, and emotional detachment. The poem is set in a bleak landscape, reflecting the speaker's feelings of sadness and disillusionment. The use of muted colors and imagery emphasizes the lack of warmth and connection in the relationship being described. The poem's structure consists of four quatrains, employing a consistent rhyme scheme. Hardy's choice of language and tone conveys a sense of resignation, as the speaker reflects on a past love that has faded into a state of indifference. The overall mood is somber, highlighting the complexities of human emotions.