My theory is of war. How winter came with its "great white shield" breaking "thin arms of twisting branches", and then howling a throaty laughter from its small victory. Then causing more trouble, having owners sell their cattle who get rid of his work; "rake snow for stubble". And as he feels the final battle come over, his experiences his life memories in a few weeks, "slow and pensive he walks away" dragging his "silver-streamed shield" "into death bravely.
Or it can also be a metaphor for the average man, working and conquering all before him. That is until his season comes to its near end, and he sees his history being trumped by the "next big thing" (new season; in regard to literal interpretation). He is not sad, or regretful... he is content and opens his final door with out a look back.
Interesting reading of the metaphoric possibilities, here. And, of course, if you're from an agrarian cultural context like Baca's, your people depend upon the land--closely tied to natural cycles; so the "war," from one perspective, really is between "man and nature": the winter makes things hard on plants and animals. What "defeats" winter, of course, is the sping; nothing we can do. So,yes, there's a lesson there for us humans, and a respect for they way things are
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