A speaker battles the wind on a Manhattan street and spots a glowing orb hanging over fifty-seventh street. The title and the repeated "a star a star" point to the Christmas story of the star that guided travelers to a manger. But the speaker quickly deflates the comparison. This star brings no wisdom, only "the coldest light," and leads to no inn they can afford. They even joke that they know better than to look for a manger in Central Park.
Up close, the star turns out to be a huge lighted snowflake hung on cables, a holiday decoration. The mood shifts from wonder to dry, wintry skepticism. The final question, "how many tons," is a practical, almost deadpan thought, and it repeats like an echo. It suggests a speaker who can't quite believe in the magic anymore and sees the weight and machinery behind it. The cold, the wild taxis and the "screaming howling" wind make the city feel harsh and lonely.