The description paints a vivid image of a puddle, resembling an elegant footprint, overflowing with liquid that reflects light like quicksilver. This unique metaphor suggests that the puddle is not just water but a portal to a different dimension, hinting at deeper meanings beyond the mundane. The puddle's shape and its shimmering surface invite contemplation of the unseen or the mysterious beneath it.

Surrounding the puddle is a dark, moist area cluttered with lifeless leaves stuck in the mud, implying neglect and decay. This imagery deepens the scene by contrasting the alluring surface of the puddle with the stagnant, dull elements that encapsulate it. The mention of the leaves being 'drowned' suggests a loss of vitality, perhaps reflecting themes of entrapment or the passage of time, both significant in the context of Nabokov's work.