What is an explanation of stanza two?
Stanza two conveys the speaker's deep longing and nostalgia for their childhood home, which is now lost to them. They lament how the relentless passage of time has diminished the significance of the place, reducing it to a mere dream or a "tale to tell." The speaker vividly recalls waking up in darkness during the wintry time and hearing the sound of their mother's voice, providing comfort and assurance. This memory symbolizes the sense of security and warmth associated with childhood, which the speaker now yearns for. The imagery of "winter's twilight" and the "cold gray dawn" creates a melancholic atmosphere, reflecting the speaker's emotions of loss and sadness.