Watershed

Reflects on the time spent by someone else in building empires while the speaker was in a state of unawareness or neglect.

Highlights the contrast between the proactive actions of others and the speaker's passive state, possibly suggesting a period of inactivity or slumber.

Reiteration of the speaker's state of inactivity or unawareness during the empire-building phase of others.

Describes the continued inactivity of the speaker while someone else was causing disruption or chaos ("setting woods afire").

Emphasizes that the speaker was still in a dreamlike state while others were actively pursuing their goals.

Reiterates the ongoing dreaming state of the speaker during a period of significant action by others.

Announces the speaker's intention to disrupt the stability beneath the other person, indicating a shift in the power dynamic.

Expresses the speaker's determination to send their influence ("waters") to the other person, possibly signifying a metaphorical flood or overwhelming force.

Suggests an invasion of the other person's personal space or thoughts, with a potential unsettling effect.

Conveys the idea of thorough scrutiny, seeking the other person in every aspect or hidden corner of their life.

Points out the speaker's lack of interest in participating in a dispute or argument, indicating a focus on their own path.

Rejects the idea of waiting, suggesting a proactive approach to life rather than being passive.

Reiteration of the speaker's refusal to wait, emphasizing a sense of urgency or decisiveness.

Contrasts the speaker's active stance with the other person's retreat to a comfort zone.

Asserts the speaker's persistence and resistance against fading away or becoming insignificant.

Reiterates the speaker's refusal to fade into the background, maintaining a strong and enduring presence.

Claims prior experience in unsettling situations or confronting challenges before the other person.

References Old Shanghai as a symbolic location where the speaker has faced challenges or disruptions.

References New Orleans as another symbolic location representing experiences and challenges faced by the speaker.

Includes Amsterdam and Mumbai as additional symbolic locations, suggesting a diverse range of challenges overcome by the speaker.

Introduces the idea of encountering unfamiliar or unconventional challenges ("strange new creatures") that test the speaker's resilience.

Describes the thorough examination or scavenging of the other person's vulnerabilities or weaknesses.

Reiterates the speaker's claim of having faced challenges before the other person, emphasizing experience and resilience.

Refers to an ashen sky, lightning storms, and challenging situations, reinforcing the speaker's history of overcoming adversity.

Expands on the challenging scenarios faced, including lightning storms as metaphors for intense difficulties.

Mentions geographical locations (deltas to desert plains) to signify the varied nature of challenges confronted by the speaker.

Alludes to wartime conditions on every border, suggesting a history of dealing with conflicts and crises.

Reaffirms the speaker's experience in dealing with challenges, emphasizing a pattern observed and understood.

Observes the formation of patterns, possibly indicating a keen understanding of the dynamics at play in various situations.

Declares the end of a certain era or phase ("Children your time is done"), suggesting a shift in power dynamics or a new beginning.

Conveys a collective acknowledgment of the conclusion of a certain period, potentially hinting at a shared understanding of change.