Night Windows
Night Windows: Echoes of Lost Moments in City Glow
Lyrics
In the stick-count for the song
The songwriter reflects on the process of creating the song, specifically counting beats or measures, indicating a musical context.
of knowing you're gone,
Expressing the realization of someone's absence, possibly due to departure or separation.
glancing up at where you lived when you lived here,
Looking upwards to the place where the person used to live, reminiscing about their presence in that location.
I see you, suddenly alive
The poet envisions the absent person as if they are suddenly alive, possibly through memories or imagination, resulting in a bittersweet reaction.
and nearly smiling.
Observing a nearly smiling expression, emphasizing a moment of joy or happiness in the past.
Stop and hold my breath and watch the way you used to be.
Stopping and holding the breath to contemplate and witness the person's past actions and demeanor.
The full moon makes
Introducing the full moon as a poetic element, setting a scene for the emotions that follow.
our faces shine
Describing the effect of the moonlight on faces, using a simile involving over-ironed polyester to convey an unnatural or exaggerated shine.
like over-ironed polyester,
Continuing the moonlight imagery, emphasizing the brightness on faces.
then disappears
Describing the disappearance of the moon behind clouds, suggesting a shift from a positive to a more somber atmosphere.
behind the clouds,
Highlighting the temporary nature of the positive experience, as the moon is hidden behind clouds.
and leaves me under empty rows
Being left alone, surrounded by empty rows of night windows, possibly symbolizing loneliness and emptiness.
of night windows.
Reflecting on the nighttime environment, specifically the view of empty windows in the darkness.
We could walk to where these streets
Discussing the possibility of walking together to a location where the streets converge or connect.
get pulled together-
Describing the convergence of streets as they come together, using a metaphorical image.
a blinking line with gravel shoulders squared towards an end.
Depicting a specific scene of streets with gravel shoulders leading towards an end, emphasizing a destination.
Where the radio resounds
Referring to the sound of a radio echoing from traffic, indicating urban life and activity.
from doppling traffic.
Using a playful term "doppling" to describe the traffic noise, possibly suggesting a rhythmic or chaotic nature.
Where the power lines steal esses from the hourly news.
Describing power lines stealing "esses" (S sounds) from the hourly news, possibly referring to interference or distortion in communication.
De-pluralize
Suggesting a need to reduce the number of casualties or losses, possibly advocating for a more positive outlook.
our casualties,
Using a metaphor to encourage minimizing negative outcomes and drowning out the influence of military leaders (Generals) through static or noise.
and drown the Generals out in static.
Continuing the theme of drowning out negativity and militaristic influences in the surroundings.
We'd turn and watch
Turning attention to watching the city sprawl, possibly indicating a sense of detachment or contemplation.
our city sprawl,
Emphasizing the city's communication with signals, possibly metaphorical, in the glow of night windows.
and send us signals in the glow
Highlighting the city's signals, possibly symbolic of messages or signs received in the darkness.
of night windows.
Reiterating the significance of night windows in the cityscape.
But you're not
Expressing the painful reality that the person is not returning home, possibly due to a permanent separation.
coming home again,
Acknowledging the impossibility of the person's return, reinforcing the sense of loss.
and I won't
Expressing the regret of not being able to say certain things to the departed person.
ever get to say,
Highlighting the permanent nature of the separation, emphasizing the inability to convey specific sentiments.
"Remember how...I'm sorry that...I miss the way...Could we..."
Listing phrases that the speaker wishes they could express to the absent person, indicating a longing for communication and connection.
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