"The Day is Done" doesn't tell a story so much as it describes a feeling, a moment, a state of mind. The speaker of the poem tells us he's worn out after a long day, and feeling a little blue. What he wants more that anything is to have a poem read to him – not just any old poem, not something full of war and excitement and big ideas. What he wants is something quiet, soothing, full of sweet emotion (sorry, Aerosmith) that will make him forget his tough day. He wants something familiar, read aloud by someone he cares about. No drama, just a good, relaxing poem on a cold, rainy night.