The poem describes a woman who represents different things. She may represent pleasure or regret, treasure or a price to be paid. She can be the song of summer or the chill of autumn. She could make each day heaven or hell. She may be beauty or beast, famine or feast. She may be the mirror of dreams or just a smile reflected in a stream. Ultimately, she is the reason for survival, the meaning of life, and where the speaker needs to be.