Amaryllis

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/amaryllis/

There comes a point in all of our young lives when we realize that life ends and people that we once knew we will no longer be with.  This story generally plays out at a young age with a grandparent and the memories can be haunting and confusing.  The emotions are hard for a child to explain, but this is EA Robinson’s attempt.
The poem is written once again from the point of view of a child (presumably) of Tilbury Town (going so far as to say “I”).  The young boy has wandered into the woods and encounters an elderly man. The man that no longer has someone to share his experiences with takes the passerby boy with him to view Amaryllis.  I can’t decide whether or not the boy knew Amaryllis, but either way, this is the first time he is struck by the cold and lonely idea of growing old and dying while the joyful sounds of the town ring in the background.