Stars

Stars traditionally symbolize love, yearning, and particularly forbidden love, as in "star-crossed lovers." They're also commonly understood to guide humans and reflect fate for those who believe in forces beyond the purely physical. In this poem, however, the stars are passive and indifferent. The speaker realizes they cannot look to the stars for anything beyond the physical beauty they offer.

Sky

The emptiness of the sky should the stars disappear symbolizes freedom and perseverance. The narrator promises they would adjust to that emptiness and find freedom in letting go of the yearning and unrequited love born from pining for stars that cannot notice them