repetition of small motion
Ephemeral Chronicles: Whittled Dreams and Oyster Shell Skies
Lyrics
With a three inch stub of a number twoTiconderoga pencil
Using a short piece of a number two Ticonderoga pencil, possibly symbolizing simplicity, the person wrote on the clock.
He wrote the numbers on the face of the clock
Numbers were inscribed on the clock's face, indicating a record of time passing or events occurring.
And all that Lead Mountain graphite dust collected in the stenciled shadows
Graphite dust from the pencil formed shadows, suggesting the accumulation of experiences or memories.
Never made him late for the dawn of the next day
The dust did not hinder the person from being punctual for the next day's dawn, implying resilience despite challenges.
I tied a rope to the moon and rode upon the tide
Metaphorically, the speaker lassoed the moon, using the tide as a medium, indicating a sense of control or influence over nature.
Creosote and iodine and all those sinister clacks and gurgles
References to creosote, iodine, and mysterious sounds suggest a vivid, perhaps surreal, description of the surroundings.
That rattled off the oyster shell sky
The sky is compared to an oyster shell, possibly portraying it as both delicate and resilient.
With a hand-whittled hardwood toothpick made from the leg of a broken barstool
A toothpick crafted from a broken barstool's leg symbolizes resourcefulness or making do with what is available.
Found behind this railroad hotel
The toothpick was found behind a railroad hotel, hinting at a hidden, overlooked, or discarded aspect of life.
It was quiet as a knothole and him kneeling down and peeking at the other side
Quietness is compared to a knothole, and someone peeks through, possibly exploring the unknown or finding solace in silence.
Where the houses are gone but the gardens still come up
Houses may be gone, but gardens persist, suggesting the enduring nature of growth despite external changes.
I tied a rope to the moon and rode upon the tide
Reiteration of the moon-rope metaphor, emphasizing a connection to natural forces or cycles.
Creosote and iodine and all those sinister clacks and gurgles
Continuation of surreal imagery, with creosote, iodine, and strange sounds resonating in the oyster shell sky.
That rattled off the oyster shell sky
Repeated reference to the oyster shell sky, reinforcing its significance in the poetic landscape.
With a second look you saw for the first time
Upon closer inspection, hands are perceived as old, suggesting the passage of time and accumulated experiences.
Old hands on the end of your arms
Recognition of one's hands as old implies self-awareness and acceptance of personal history.
Days on the frozen shoreline
Days spent on the frozen shoreline hint at both stagnation and the potential for change or thawing.
Oh come on, you always knew the ice was just the water waiting
An acknowledgment that ice is just water waiting, implying an awareness of latent potential or transformation.
With a houndstooth seersucker Saturday suit
Describing attire with a houndstooth seersucker Saturday suit adds a touch of nostalgia or formality to a Tuesday evening.
This time on a Tuesday evening
Specific mention of a Tuesday evening adds a temporal element, possibly indicating a specific moment or event.
You spent your life collecting all those stones and other heavy objects
Life is metaphorically portrayed as a collection of stones and heavy objects, possibly symbolizing burdens or challenges.
Irons in your pockets as you swim in deep, deep water
Iron objects in pockets suggest a metaphorical weight carried while navigating deep waters, representing life's challenges.
I tied a rope to the moon and rode upon the tide
Repetition of the moon-rope metaphor, reinforcing the theme of connection to natural elements and cycles.
Creosote and iodine and all the sounds of all those things gone on before us
Recurrence of creosote, iodine, and sounds, emphasizing their enduring presence in the past and present.
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