Nkazimulo's "Sunshine" is the voice of someone who has lost a great love and knows it was partly their own fault. The opening line, "The number you have dialed does not exist," suggests the speaker can no longer reach the person, while pride, fear and unsaid words keep them stuck in place. They correct themselves mid-thought: they will never know a love like this again. The beloved is remembered as patient and supportive, someone who made the speaker feel "gold."
The sunset is the poem's main image. It once stood for love and shared triumph over the day. Now the red sky brings tears, and by the end it only hints at darkness coming. The speaker imagines running back and hearing "I love you too," but the "But..." cuts that hope off. They admit they hurt the other person badly. The mood is regretful, raw and quietly hopeless, with guilt running through the longing.