It is not until the setting, as one nears the end in elderly wisdom, that they re-connect with the true light of life. He realizes that heavenly connection cannot be found in the material outer realm of nature, but can only rekindle within the soul. He longs that something outside of himself could effect him so, but realizes he is slave to his own despair, and the light must shine from within.
Nature portrays more of a wicked stepmom persona than a nurturing mother figure.
In the end, Coleridge can ony find a glimmer of hope in his prayer for the girl, although even this prayer seems tainted with a desperate voice. Coleridge's darkness may be traced to his personal problems, such as his illness and opium addiction which causes him extreme guilt.