I see the repeated use of the colors red and white holding significance in the poem. There is a constant comparison of there being a lack of vibrancy in this mistress, with the color red being a descriptive term. If I am to take the term "mistress" under the definition of a woman having an extramarital affair, this could be seen as the speaker seeing all of the features he may have taken for granted at the time. The rose color of her cheeks and lips, the angelic white glow, all are muddied and faded as this is not the woman he truly loved.

The word "Mistress" can mean one of two definitions. The first being the lesser used of the two, with it meaning "a woman in a position of authority" (Oxford Languages, 2023). This could be inferred as, regardless of any physical characteristic, his mistress will always hold his heart, for he doesn't need to see a goddess, as the center of his love exists here. The second brings with it more troubling implications, being "a woman having an extramarital sexual relationship, especially with a married man." (Oxford Languages, 2023). This could bring a new meaning to the previously bitter start to the poem, being more of longing from the speaker for his previous lover, comparing this simple mistress to the goddess that was his previous relationship.

I read this poem as starting in an almost bitter fashion, with similes and seemingly straight insults towards his mistress. As the poem progresses to the final 4 lines however, I begin to see that the use of such bold terms of physical description are used to enhance the center message of the poem. To make the comparison of others in regards to physical attraction ignores the unique, emotional and unbiased connection between him and his love.