The poem presents a contrast between the speaker's fears about his own demise and the beauty and vibrancy of the natural world. Keats uses imagery and metaphors from nature, such as the sunset, to symbolize the transience of human life. By placing the speaker's concerns within the larger context of the natural world, the poem reflects on the universal experience of mortality and encourages the readers to appreciate the beauty of life while it lasts.
The poem also touches upon the idea of legacy and the desire for immortality. The speaker wonders whether his poetry and art will survive after his death, allowing his essence to endure beyond his physical existence. This exploration of art as a means of achieving immortality is a recurrent theme in Keats's poetry.
Overall, the argument or thesis of the poem can be summarized as the poet's contemplation of mortality, the significance of life in the face of death, and the search for meaning and transcendence through art and creativity.