The passage reflects on a fleeting moment of summer, emphasizing the desire to hold onto it, represented by the character Mingus Rude. The speaker wishes to preserve this feeling within Dylan, as if it could stop time and prolong the brightness of summer. However, this hope seems futile as the day has already ended, transitioning into darkness.

The imagery of the Williamsburg Savings Bank tower clock indicates the late hour, suggesting that the carefree days are long gone and replaced by a sense of defeat. The metaphor of "a million to nothing" conveys a feeling of loss, highlighting the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the harsh reality of life beyond that one bright day.