Use of the word passed is often used to signify not just the passage of time but also the gain of experiences

In water is taught by thirst land is taught by the oceans passed. By journeying across the oceans to various lands, adventurers are able to notonly tell the difference between the ocean and the land but also tell the difference from the various lands they travel to. Just as we travel to different places our journey to diffferent experiences and situations greatly end up defining the end result. Passed not just suggests a passage of time but also a since of growth and change.

The word passed is used similarily in I Could Not Stop for death

We passed the school, were children strove
At recess, in the ring;
We passed the fields of grazing grain
We passed the setting sun

The stanza is beautifully constructed to not only add scenery to the journey, making the carriage ride seem more authentic to the reader it is also a wonderful parallel for the stages of life. Death and the rider go through childhood, adolescence, the peak of life and old age in the same sense that they pass the school where children play and pass the setting sun where life ends. However The tone of the passenger suggests that she did not actually participate in the stages of life but instead was merely a passive observer. This idea is confirmed we she states: " Or rather be passed us" . She did not take the opportunity in life to enjoy it’s full potential and simply let it pass her by.

Becuase I could not stop for death	Home	Water is taught by thirst