Nothing in the poem is told as a story. Instead, the speaker describes a night of confronting themselves. They talk to a devil and then an angel, and both look like them. The devil's grin is awful, but the angel is no better: it refuses to help and seems selfish. Neither side offers comfort, so the speaker is left with no clear idea of who they are or should be.
The feeling underneath is exhaustion mixed with a plea for understanding. The repeated question, "When will you understand?", sounds frustrated, while the line "I'm just a little tired, that's all" plays down a much heavier pain. The final request changes slightly each time, from catching them to laughing to watching when they fall, which suggests the hope for support slowly sours. The cracked mirror and bleeding hands add a sense of damage. The mood is raw, weary and defensive, ending in a feeling of being stuck in "no-man's-land," not knowing oneself.