The poem describes a serene scene set at the cusp of summer's midday and midnight, where the narrator observes the celestial bodies, particularly the moon and the Evening Star. The moon illuminates with a cold, bright light, which the narrator finds unwelcoming, contrasting it with the gentler glow of the Evening Star. The poem captures the narrator's preference for the distant, warm light of the Evening Star, which brings joy and admiration, over the colder, more dominant presence of the moon. It explores themes of beauty, preference, and the emotional impact celestial bodies can have on a person's heart, drawing a parallel between physical light and emotional warmth.