Floe
Frozen Reflections: A Journey Through Monolithic Moments
Lyrics
It was a non-day, a false day, a pale winter's day
Describing a day that lacks significance, authenticity, and vitality during winter.
when two thirds of one's time felt forged
Feeling like a significant portion of one's time is artificial or fabricated.
the store windows and idling cabs, unapproachable.
Depicting storefronts and taxis as distant and unapproachable.
The walk involved ducking around tilted scaffolding,
Describing a walk through obstacles like tilted scaffolding, elderly women, and large, imposing structures.
unkempt babushkas and toothless monoliths.
Highlighting the presence of elderly women and massive, toothless structures.
He had to run away from the icebreakers pushing through
Running away from icebreakers in intersections, creating a sense of urgency.
intersections where ambulances had to wait for green.
Illustrating intersections where ambulances are delayed, emphasizing chaos and tension.
He hid in a park until he had consumed enough courage
Taking refuge in a park until gathering enough courage to confront threatening shadows.
to turn on the shadows that had turned on him.
Confronting and overcoming personal challenges symbolized by shadows.
Whatever this moment was, it was not his.
Emphasizing a sense of detachment from the current moment.
The city's Russian grew monstrous,
Describing the Russian language in the city as overwhelming and monstrous.
each word was monumental, an elongated wink,
Characterizing Russian words as monumental, suggesting exaggeration or distortion.
a Peter the Great travesty.
Referring to a Peter the Great travesty, possibly criticizing historical distortions.
The management of time was kept by an hourglass
Introducing an hourglass bladder as a metaphor for time management.
bladder that turned every ten minutes.
Describing a time-keeping mechanism that signals a shift every ten minutes.
There were no bathrooms, just empty alleyways to clear
Highlighting the absence of bathrooms and the need to clear alleyways to restart the clock.
and restart the clock. After a few more blocks into the depths
Continuing the journey into the day, facing challenges and obstacles.
of the day were stumbled, a piranha was purchased,
Purchasing a piranha named Lenin, introducing a symbolic element.
placed in its carrying tank and baptised
Baptizing the piranha, adding a layer of ritualistic significance.
Lenin.
Naming the piranha Lenin, possibly symbolizing political or ideological undertones.
He floundered back to MGU like a ruined salesman,
Returning to a location like a failed salesperson, creating an atmosphere of defeat.
terrifying everyone who came within spitting distance
Terrifying others with a convulsing suitcase, hinting at the consequences of the day's events.
of the convulsing suitcase that would be frozen solid
Anticipating the freezing of the suitcase within an hour, reinforcing the harsh conditions.
within an hour. That evening a vigil was held in his room.
Describing an evening vigil held for Lenin, introducing a somber tone.
Lenin rested peacefully on the window ledge, surrounded
Depicting Lenin peacefully resting on a window ledge, surrounded by candles and mourners.
by candles and mourners while Vysotsky sang
Creating an image of a solemn scene with candles and mourners.
into the courtyard: That's it, I've decided,
Quoting Vysotsky singing about making a decision, possibly reflecting on life's struggles.
I'll drink some tea and die
Ending with a contemplative line about drinking tea and accepting fate.
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