This poem invokes the sun to linger awhile longer before the world must face the cold and dark of winter. The composer chose a four-note motif as the basis of setting this poem to music. The opening words of the poem use this motif as do several other lines. The four notes even appear at the beginning and the end of the piece in widely separated ranges. As the poet muses on the “few sunny days,” the music becomes less somber and with a happier tone. Yet winter is truly coming and cannot be long delayed so the dark and gloomy mood returns.