Third Family Portrait
Winter's Plea to Change: Third Family Portrait
Lyrics
It was the dead of winter
Setting the scene in the dead of winter, emphasizing harsh conditions.
The cold was in our bones
Describing the intense cold affecting the characters deeply.
And our shelves stood barren
Indicating a lack of resources or abundance, possibly reflecting hardship.
As we had ever known
Expressing a long-standing state of scarcity or want.
So our mother stands on the porch one evening
Depicting the mother's appearance on the porch, suggesting a significant moment.
The silent crack in her stony mask
Describing the mother's emotional state with a stony mask, possibly hiding pain.
She looked up at the sky, and said "please"
Describing a moment of vulnerability as the mother looks at the sky and pleads for something.
And by the turn of summer we
Highlighting a time jump to the turn of summer, signifying change.
Packed up all we owned
Portraying the family's decision to leave, symbolizing a fresh start.
And with my mom and brothers
Emphasizing the unity of the family during the journey.
We started for the coast
Revealing the destination as the coast, a place of hope and new opportunities.
And I would count all the clouds on the way
Showing a child's innocence by counting clouds, hinting at a more carefree time.
And you and I would name them
Highlighting a shared activity between two individuals amidst change.
While the world around us changed
Suggesting the transformative nature of the world around them.
And I remember asking if the place
Expressing curiosity about the new place and its conditions.
We're moving would have more food
Reflecting on concerns about basic needs, such as food, in the new environment.
And my mother grew as distant as can be
Describing the mother's emotional distance, possibly due to the challenges they face.
And mouthed, "please"
Repeating the plea "please," indicating an ongoing need or desire.
So I, so tired eyes, pay no mind
Describing the narrator's fatigue and indifference to the passing of time.
The river of time will drown these days out
Suggesting that time will eventually overshadow and diminish the hardships.
It was the year just after we
Marking another time jump, pointing to a specific year after a significant event.
Stood and watched the sea
Recalling a moment of observing the sea, possibly a tranquil or reflective experience.
And my mom was smiling
Contrasting with earlier descriptions, noting the mother's positive demeanor.
No longer saying please
Ending on a hopeful note, suggesting an improvement in their circumstances.
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