Time Long Past

Like the ghost of a dear friend dead
Is Time long past.
A tone which is now forever fled,
A hope which is now forever past,
A love so sweet it could not last,
Was Time long past.

There were sweet dreams in the night
Of Time long past:
And, was it sadness or delight,
Each day a shadow onward cast
Which made us wish it yet might last-
That Time long past

There is regret, almost remorse
For Time long past.
'Tis like a child's beloved corse
A father watches, till at last
Beauty is like remembrance, cast
From Time long past.

As the title suggest "time long past" we know this is going to be the theme of the poem because it continuous repeats itself through out the poem. In the first paragraph it basically talks about how things can't always last forever, no matter how much we want it to. Shelley also uses these keywords: forever and death, which both mean something of the past and they can't ever return to the present time. Once he includes "a love so sweet it could not last," Shelley explains about his own experiences. But in this part he's talking about his relationship that seemed to be perfect at the time. Afterwards Shelley starts talking about sadness or delight in the second paragraph, this tells us that Shelley experienced something terrible that made him wish it could be part of the past. At the end of this paragraph, it teaches us that the things in the past aren't always pleasant. There's at least something in the past we didn't wish for. As for the third paragraph, you indicate that Shelley feels bad because he wishes that he could relive some of those events even if they weren't the best. In contrast to that wish, there's nothing that can be done. Despite that I understand what Shelley is talking about and where his point of view is coming from, because I have moments in my life that I wish to relive; although its impossible unless there's a time machine. But further on this paragraph it starts mentioning small hints about Shelley's childhood past with his parents. Which is a common thing we experience with our parents as we grow up. Then it goes talking about beauty, which beauty does change as time passes by. The word "beauty" also suggests that it also belongs to the flow of time. After finally finishing the poem, it made me realize that the long past can be treasured, because those are memories that can't be relived, which Shelley clearly explains. In a way this poem is kind of saying to enjoy the things your doing now because they will eventually be part of the long past. A past that can't be changed. It also makes me feel grateful for all the events that occur in my life. From spending time with my family to meeting new people. Nobody knows what's going to happen in a couple years, but we sure can live it now. And when we look back on it, there won't be regret or remorse.

-Dulce Roque