The narrator of the poem meticulously observes the natural world, taking on a detached, almost scientific tone before transitioning to a personal, intimate one. They possess an eye for detail, connecting ordinary acts to grand, cosmic phenomena like shooting stars and the moon. Their primary focus shifts from these environmental elements to the affectionate act of washing their companion's hair in a battered tin basin.

The subject of the poem is a close companion whose hair the speaker is preparing to wash. Described as precipitate and pragmatical, they bring a vital spark to the speaker's life while remaining grounded. Their dark hair, featuring gray streaks that resemble bright formations, provides the physical and emotional center of the speaker's observations.

A highly regarded American poet known for her meticulous attention to detail and reluctance to publish hastily. Born in Massachusetts into a prominent family, her early childhood involves the absence of both parents and ongoing health struggles. She frequently travels, prefers to keep her personal life private, and writes poetry that transforms ordinary occurrences into profound, transcendent experiences.

A member of an influential Brazilian family who nurses Bishop back to health and becomes her romantic partner. Known affectionately as Lota, she shares a nearly fifteen-year life with the poet in Brazil. She eventually takes on a demanding job overseeing a large public park and entertainment project in Rio de Janeiro, an effort that places a heavy strain on her physical well-being.

A famous American poet who shares several personal struggles with Bishop, including mental health challenges. He practices a highly personal, confessional style of poetry that Bishop admires but chooses not to fully emulate. He acts as a fiercely supportive colleague, helping secure grants and prestigious teaching positions for her.

Elizabeth's father, whose own father was a wealthy contractor responsible for notable buildings in Boston. He battles Bright's disease during his daughter's infancy, leaving a lasting absence in her early life.

Elizabeth's mother, who trained as a nurse and worked as an ice skater. She suffers from severe mental health issues requiring commitment to Boston’s Deaconess Hospital for treatment, deeply affecting her family dynamics.

A fellow student at the prestigious women's college Vassar who goes on to become a provocative novelist. She collaborates with Bishop on the literary journal Con Spirito during their college years. She later draws inspiration from her former classmates to write her successful book The Group.

A young, pregnant, and married woman who enters into a romantic relationship with Bishop in 1966. She subsequently travels and lives with Bishop in San Francisco and the Brazilian town of Ouro Preto.

A woman in her late twenties who forms a romantic relationship with Bishop later in the poet's life. She remains a significant figure in Bishop's final years and receives the appointment as her sole literary executor.