The extremely delicate opening phrase, marked "molto espress. e delicatissimo," might be more convincing if it were to emanate from the performer's body, as if a whisper were escaping, rather than attempting to express delicacy intentionally through sheer willpower.

The delicate, static scene concludes at measure 16, transitioning to a dynamic scene from measure 17 with "poco furioso" and from measure 19 with "furioso" (meaning "furiously" or "impetuously"). Then, the opening motif reappearing at measure 23 becomes subdued, marked pp and in a lower register, as if receding into the shadows, preparing for the impending climax of appassionato (meaning "passionately"). The appassionato from measure 25 passes through grandioso (meaning "grandly") at measure 26, reaching an ecstatic peak at measure 27.

Thereafter, tranquility returns. The mezzo-staccato from measure 29, marked piangente (meaning "tearfully" or "plaintively"), may resemble falling teardrops and might also evoke a sense of loneliness, like someone trudging along, looking at their toes in solitude. Finally, the opening motif reappears at the end of the piece, and the piece concludes quietly. The motif should ideally be performed in a way that resonates deeply, serving as the final words to narrate the story (or "poem") of this piece, as experienced by each performer.