The poem is structured as a series of short, evocative stanzas, each of which presents a different perspective on the photograph in question. The speaker begins by describing the photograph itself, noting its faded quality and the way it seems to capture a moment that has been frozen in time. They then reflect on the people depicted in the photograph, including a young woman who is the central focus of the image.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's thoughts and feelings about the photograph become more personal and introspective. They consider the passage of time and the way that the photograph serves as a reminder of their own mortality. They also reflect on the complex nature of memory and the way that it can be both a source of comfort and a source of pain.
The poem ends with the speaker expressing a sense of longing and regret for the past, but also a sense of acceptance and understanding. The photograph becomes a symbol of the transient nature of life and the bittersweet beauty of memory.