As the city simmers down
And the air starts to rest,
The night sky brightens up,
Roaring and pouring – no test.
Staring out the open window,
Only the sounds of the sky and our breaths,
Peace and stillness amidst the thunderstorm,
Chaotic lives amiss.
Through another window of a darkened room,
Staring blankly ahead,
Full of thought, full of sorrow,
Wistfully beautiful in her head.
March 22, 2020
If you’re new around here, let me begin by telling you – I’m a Swiftie. Taylor Swift is one of my favourite musicians of all times. I love the metaphors and sly play she does with her words. The most complex of emotions are described in the simplest words – words you didn’t know they could be explained in.
One of my favourite songs of hers, till date, is ‘All too Well’. In my personal opinion, the song is a lyrical genius. Whether it was, “Realized you lost the one real thing you’ve ever known.” or “You’ll mail back my things in a box with no note except for that scarf from that very first week”. In other words, I’ve always been taken by her lyrics – but this song, in particular, can make me cry and feel things at any moment of time.
So, obviously as the new album came out, I bought it right away – and while I wait for my Deluxe version to be delivered, here I am again, hoping to get lost in translation, I’m pulling together a thread of my favourite lyrics from Lover so far.
“I’ve got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you” – The Archer.
Don’t we all have those unsaid speeches? For every emotion, occasion and heart-break? This song explores how she herself is her Archer and her prey.
I’m so sick of running as fast as I can, wondering if I’d get there quicker if I was a man.” – The Man.
Every woman needs to hear this song. She has spoken about sexism before, she’s been harassed before – and she’s talking purely out of real frustrations and experience.
“Have I known you 20 seconds or 20 years?” – Lover
AND
“All’s well that ends well to end up with you” – Lover
AND
“Swear to be over-dramatic and truuuuuuee, to my loverrr” – Lover
This song is the ‘lover’ I didn’t know I needed. Everything about this song makes my heart burst in a fun but slow dance with my imaginary ‘lover’. Every lyric hits close to home and makes you realize that this kind of ‘forever and ever’ love does exist – and is well worth saving the seat on the table for.
“And I hope I never lose you, hope it never ends. I’d never walk Cornelia Street again. That’s the kinda heartbreak time could never mend.” – Cornelia Street
As human beings, it is our natural tendency to associate a special someone with a special place, a memory and a very real smell. Cornelia Street is a metaphor of that place – in real and in her heart – that she will never be able to revisit. And while time heals most things, that’s one heartbreak it could never mend.
“And I hate to make this all about me, but who am I supposed to talk to? What am I supposed to do if there’s no you?” – Soon you’ll be Better
Without mentioning who she’s praying for, the song just gets you emotionally riled up. I don’t know what more to say, except hear it.
“Fighting with a true love is boxing with no gloves
Chemistry ’til it blows up, ’til there’s no us” – Afterglow
Doesn’t this ring you similar to ‘Back to December’? Like a version that is purely more emotional than it was. It’s Taylor admitting her mistakes and asking for another chance. We all get in our heads sometimes and make scenarios that might not necessarily be there. What we need in those moments is someone’s hand to pull us out of the woods and meet me in the afterglow.
“They say the road gets hard and you get lost, when you’re led by blind faith.” – False God
I think this song is hinting towards what it is like to be in a relationship when it gets hard (It refers to Taylor’s to long distance relationship with Joe Alywn). While these lyrics don’t exactly say it, but its asking you to take the road to the blind faith and worship this love. It’s about taking a chance and jumping in – making it work through the harder times. What’s not to love?
“I like shiny things, but I’d marry you with Paper Rings” – Paper Rings
So full of cheese and love, of course I was dancing around the room to this! When it comes to love, everyone settles for something – not in a bad way. Actually, my use of the word ‘settle’ is incorrect. It’s compromise. Every relationship – platonic or otherwise requires compromises and comes with complications, but how you compliment each other is what makes it click.
I can guarantee I would have found completely new lyrics to be in love with by next week – so I’ll keep you updated!
Begin at the beginning,
When those little moments –
That first date and that ridiculous coffee,
Holding hands in the very first movie
Made a new meaning.
Life, already one with a rhythm,
Now danced to a new music,
So we created more memories.
We sat underneath the stars,
And drank and danced on the bar.
In sync our minds, that though alike,
It became easier to picture,
What tomorrow be might.
We could be camping for the Aurora,
Or in Venice on a gondola.
But, tomorrow is still far,
And I wonder,
If the simplicity of everyday,
The boring dailies, and mundane chores –
Wouldn’t be a far.
We might be stuck in a dinner party,
With someone’s horrid candles,
And the jokes that aren’t funny.
Boring as some board games get,
But, you’ll snicker, and it is our secret to tell.
We will get caught up in life –
Tiring work,
And a baby that won’t quit crying.
We will be sleepless and honestly, terrified,
Tell me baby, if otherwise.
April 20, 2019
Parked on the side of the beach,
Nestled on the drivers seat –
Alone, not lonely,
and looking straight ahead.
It was show that she wanted,
Of the setting sun, pouring rain,
Continued lightening,
And rainbows on her head.
No distractions – no chaos,
Resonating her inner peace,
Even the rumbling of the car,
Was put to sleep.
It’s a strange feeling,
Unraveling your own inklings,
Unbounded by temporary setbacks,
She set herself free.
April 13, 2019
Like with everything that comes,
There’s terms and conditions,
Things that we expect,
A stance towards disappointment.
But, I’ll reach my hands out,
Even when it’s dark and we can’t see,
You’ll reach out too –
Or so, I’ll be hoping.
These crowded roads,
Leading me astray,
This blaring music,
Just doesn’t feel the same.
But, I’ll have to understand –
People are people,
And they keep changing their heart and head,
And hope, here, isn’t my friend.
The mythical corner,
That doesn’t exist,
The unsaid conversations
Now – feel flaky to begin with.
But, patience, unfortunately, is my virtue,
And I’m running out,
Because to me – for a very long minute there,
It felt like something real.
April 11, 2019
I’ve always been a little daft,
When it comes to the matters of the heart.
Like a slowly drowning raft,
Building my house of glass and cards.
I promise myself, jaded,
This time, I’ll take a step back.
Standing in the wardrobe of my feelings, raided,
Dumb-founded, I’m here again.
Surprising myself, I’m not worried,
I know I’ll start again.
My best friends, bunches of peonies,
Sea water and a little time again.
March 23, 2019
Like a nagging thought
That refuses to rest,
Always on the team for love,
I’m on crossroads with myself.
Long drives with longer chats,
Green teas with minted laughs.
Stolen kisses in the theatre and garage,
You make my knees weak.
That intentional stare,
And that knowing grin,
Constantly on my mind,
I’m on crossroads with myself.
You say you are bound-
Restricted by time,
Laying down all your cards,
Telling me exactly what it’s like.
In my head,
I recite speeches,
Endless monologues,
I’m on crossroads with myself.
I repeat to no end,
Confused in vary words,
Happy, but dumbfounded,
And lost to mindless babbles.
Then on this pen and paper,
With my insistent need to tell,
I jot down all the reasons why –
I’m on crossroads with myself.
A plane of advice,
Of what Tennyson had said-
Better to have loved and lost,
Than never have loved at all.
I’ll lay out all my cards,
And finally say,
everything that’s been said-
I’ve been on crossroads with myself.
Time-bound –
I get it,
Your cards –
I have read.
You charm me when you’re around,
And enchant me when you’re not,
But I want us a name,
And I want to see you around.
I want more of you dancing
To insane peppy tunes,
I want to keep you talking,
And shaking your head like a buffoon.
I cannot be treacherous,
To my hearts beat,
Because I really like you,
It’s more than ‘seeing’ to me.
February 17, 2019
Close your eyes,
And guess how I look at you.
Shut your ears,
And hear everything I say.
Hold my hands tight,
And then let me go, too.
Let me kiss you till our knees weaken,
But, don’t build any feelings.
The curtain has pulled up –
And my eyes, they’ll say volumes.
The stage has been set,
Because my words, they will confuse you.
This charade that we are in,
This temporary haven of bliss –
Let me kiss you till our knees weaken,
But, really, babe, don’t build any feelings.
March 3, 2019
It wasn’t the prettiest night,
A little fog and chill mixed with wind,
A whirlwind-confused situation in her mind.
She stopped her car –
Just in front of her ‘happy place’.
Right in front of Waldorf Astoria,
With a view of the glittering city lights,
And the sound of the crashing waves.
Sat on the little pavement,
Hoping the chaos got some clarity.
Conversation replaying,
This isn’t what I had in mind,
This isn’t something I’m looking for,
I’m not sure what I want.
When his actions spoke otherwise.
Simmering questions,
Questioning feelings,
A tad bit bummed out,
The windy evening,
Parallel her reeling.
There was little to no traffic,
Just taxis leaving,
Tourists arriving.
From where she sat,
She was the longest there.
Shuffling between Swift and Sinatra,
Looking away with no focus,
She made mental notes and speeches,
Things she should have said,
Swooning her thoughts out with the music that played.
The music echoed her feelings,
Call it what you want to,
And I’ve got a crush on you.
Where do they go from this?
What should she do?
March 2, 2019
In a flurry of pushed trolleys,
Hurrying people, even on Valentine’s.
Surrounding a fleet of emotions,
Of glancing goodbyes, and of happy welcomes.
Her eyes searched the rushing crowd,
Landing on him – with the coffee and flowers.
For a moment, while she raced,
The airport was at standstill.
Reaching him in a warm embrace,
And everyone moved again.
February 13, 2019
In a crowded room, chatting away,
Faking smiles, shaking hands,
Your eyes meet mine,
Words needn’t be said.
A secret smile spread,
The one you knew too well,
Making your way slowly,
Every stride, with swell.
Headed to a quieter corner,
With your hand in mine,
Excused from the nonsense conversation,
Giddy with giggling joy.
In the dimly lit balcony,
Overlooking the lush gardens,
With a moment to ourselves,
A deep sigh and a deeper kiss.
February 9, 2019
As the fresh breeze hits,
And the waves start rising,
Underneath a clear night sky,
Away from the chaos.
There wasn’t any noise or other crowds,
Just the two of us,
And the car tucked away,
Next to the far away street light.
Our picnic spread was a classic-
We had pizza, a bottle of wine,
A box of disgusting chocolates,
And those crisps, I sometimes love.
Lying next to each other,
Holding hands and a little chatter,
And crashing waves, our music,
Counting the shimmering stars.
February 1, 2019
SWATINESS 