The Lost Occasion
This poem explores the theme of lost opportunities and the passage of time. It describes a moment when two people could have been together but were separated by circumstances beyond their control. The speaker reflects on what might have been if they had met, and how their lives would be different now. The poem is a meditation on regret and the human experience of longing for something that has slipped away.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1826 · Genre: Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism · 608 words
First lines
Some die too late and some too soon, At early morning, heat of noon, Or the chill evening twilight. Thou, Whom the rich heavens did so endow With eyes of power and Jove's own brow, With all the massive strength that fills Thy home-horizon's granite hills, With rarest gifts of heart and head From manliest stock inherited, New England's stateliest type of man, In port and speech Olympian;
What this Textopian page supports
The Lost Occasion is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1826 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1826 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism, Historical, Lyric
- Length: 608 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing meter and rhyme, characteristic of poetic form.
- Elegy — The poem reflects on loss and mourning, commemorating a life cut short and the missed opportunities associated with it.
- Romanticism — The themes of nature, individualism, and emotional depth align with the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Historical — The poem references historical events and figures, situating its themes within a specific historical context.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry Collection · 19th Century · New England · Autobiographical Elements · Free Verse · Nature Imagery · Social Commentary · Moral Themes · Religious Influences · Historical Context · Regionalism