Too late for fruit, too soon for flowers...Meaning?

I feel like it may have figurative meaning. By "fruit," he may mean that it's too late for him to accomplish what he wants to, to gain the "fruits of his labor." For example, going to college for four years, the degree would be the result, or the fruit, of all the work you've put in. By "flowers," he may mean it's too soon to give flowers since he's not dead yet. Flowers are associated with youth, too, so perhaps some kind of reincarnation? Just my thoughts :)

I could be wrong but I always took it to mean exactly what it said. he is on his death bed but not yet dead so it is too late to bring fruit which is something people take for the sick but as he is not quite dead it is too soon to send flowers which is what people do when you are dead.he was at that point when anything you do or say would be useless, just a nice way of saying 'I am almost gone'.