The poem "Snowfall in the Afternoon" paints a vivid picture of an afternoon snowfall, where the grass is gradually concealed beneath white. The imagery evokes a sense of encroaching darkness as the little houses made by grass become less visible. The speaker contemplates the darkness that has always been present, yet overlooked, suggesting a deeper awareness of the subtle transformations in their environment.

As the snowfall intensifies, familiar elements like cornstalks and a barn become obscured, with the barn seemingly approaching the house as if propelled by the storm. This personification of the barn and the comparison to a ship lost in a tempest convey feelings of isolation and disconnection, highlighting the weight of the snowfall while also revealing how we often miss the underlying truths that exist around us.