The titular figure of the poem does not physically appear in the text but serves as its foundational focus. She represents the target of the poet's message about aging and vitality. The poem operates as an attempt to awaken her to the resilience and hidden bounty still present in her later years.

The narrator of the poem acts as an active observer of the winter scene. He interrupts his own imagery halfway through the text with a surprised question, lending real-time immediacy to his observations. He seeks to impart a realistic yet optimistic view of aging.

A group of small birds surviving a harsh winter. They weather a dark wind while searching for sustenance among bare trees and harsh weedstalks. The flock eventually finds a feast of seeds, allowing them to rest and sing despite the cold weather.