passing Just as these flowers appear and vanish in spring Herrick suggests that human lives too are fleeting This comparison brings out the theme of transitoriness Comparing Human Life to Flowers Daffodils are among the first flowers to blossom in spring and also the first to fade Herrick compares human lives to the daffodils He notes We have short time to stay as you We have as short a spring This line emphasizes that just as flowers bloom and fade quickly humans also face a short lifespan The comparison to daffodils allows Herrick to remind readers of the natural cycle of life and death Both flowers and humans grow blossom and eventually decay A Request to Extend Time Herrick asks the daffodils to stay until sunset It shows his wish to delay the inevitable This request reflects a human desire to stretch time and savor beauty longer even when we know that everything will eventually fade Nature s Symbolism of Transitoriness To further illustrate life s transitoriness Herrick draws on imagery from nature He writes that humans have As quick a growth to meet decay as the daffodils do It means that life though beautiful moves quickly toward an end Herrick also compares life to summer s rain and morning s dew which vanish quickly Just like human life the rain and dew are here one moment and gone the next moment This connection to natural elements reinforces the theme of transitoriness Nature itself shows how everything is temporary Acceptance of Mortality At the end of the poem Herrick expresses a sense of peace He acknowledges that life s transience is inevitable He writes As you or anything We die The poet accepts that humans like daffodils will one day fade The poet s gentle tone suggests the acceptance of this fact Through these words Herrick encourages readers to embrace life s shortness and find beauty in each fleeting moment In conclusion Robert Herrick develops the theme of transitoriness through the imagery of flowers He compares the hasty decay of daffodils to human life The poem beautifully captures the message that life s shortness should inspire us to appreciate each day