"Afterthought" is a touching and reflective poem that is part of the collection "Afternoon at a Parsonage" by Jean Ingelow. The poem presents a speaker who reflects on a past moment of joy and happiness in their life. The speaker nostalgically remembers the time spent with someone they loved, and the way that person made them feel.

The poem is written in a melancholic tone and expresses a sense of longing and sadness for a moment that has passed. The speaker contemplates the fleeting nature of time and the inability to hold onto happy moments forever.

The poem's beauty lies in its simplicity and its ability to evoke strong emotions in readers. It is a timeless reminder of the power of memory and the way that it can transport us to a time and place long gone.

Jean Ingelow was a 19th-century British poet and novelist, known for her work that celebrated family life and traditional values. "Afterthought" is one of her most well-known and beloved poems.

The poem has resonated with readers for over a century, and its themes of love, loss, and memory continue to be relevant today. Whether reading it for the first time or returning to it after years, "Afterthought" is a beautiful and moving reminder of the power of memory and the fleeting nature of time.