This poem is a lamentation of the passing of time and the decline of traditional values. It tells the story of an old parson who reflects on his life and the changes he has witnessed in society. He mourns the loss of innocence, the rise of materialism, and the decay of moral standards. The poem is written in a nostalgic tone, with a focus on the contrast between past and present.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1853 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Narrative