Watching autumn leaves fall, the speaker imagines the year's troubles dropping away with them. The troubles fade, slip out of memory, and lose their power to haunt anyone. The speaker looks ahead to a new day, month, year, and even a new age, with a sense of relief and fresh starts.
But the speaker doesn't want to forget everything. The roses given last spring and the soft summer rain on the roof and on "our heads" are held onto as warm, happy memories, and the word "you" suggests a close relationship.
The ending turns more uncertain. The speaker wonders whether leaves are the right symbol, since no year ever repeats exactly and every leaf is different. The final question, "They can't be the same / Can they?", leaves a quiet doubt hanging. The mood is gentle and reflective, hopeful at first, then a little wistful and unsure.