If What we could—were what we would (407)

Song Meaning

This short, abstract piece immediately sets up a core tension between potential and action. The opening line, "If What we could—were what we would—," presents a hypothetical scenario where capability directly translates into desire fulfilled. It suggests a world where intentions effortlessly become reality, a stark contrast to the implied reality where they do not. The dominant emotional tone feels like a frustrated sigh, a lament for unrealized possibilities. The lyrics then pivot to describe this hypothetical state as "Criterion—be small—." This implies that if potential always met action, the standards by which we judge things would diminish. The ultimate consequence is framed as "The Impotence to Tell—." This phrase is particularly striking, suggesting that in a world of perfect fulfillment, there would be no need for articulation, no stories to tell, no struggles to recount. The very act of communication, of expressing what *is* or what *could be*, would become meaningless because everything would simply *be* as desired. The craft here is in its stark, almost philosophical pronouncements. The use of em dashes creates pauses, emphasizing the conceptual weight of each phrase. The juxtaposition of "could" and "would" is the central engine, highlighting the gap between ability and execution. The idea that the "Ultimate of Talk" is "Impotence to Tell" is a powerful paradox, suggesting that true fulfillment might paradoxically silence us by removing the need for expression. It's a concise, cutting observation on the human condition, where our stories are born from the friction between what we can do and what we actually do. What makes these lyrics resonate is their distilled, almost aphoristic quality. They capture a profound sense of yearning for a seamless existence while simultaneously acknowledging that the very imperfections and struggles—the "talk"—are what give life meaning and narrative. The piece forces a contemplation of our own unrealized potentials and the stories we tell ourselves and others because of them.