Locust

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of an intense, almost invasive, internal search for understanding or connection. The narrator is navigating a metaphorical space, described as a house with strong walls and unseen rooms, driven by a relentless curiosity. There's a palpable sense of unease, underscored by the sound of "wings of the locust" and the groaning "timber," suggesting an impending or pervasive threat, yet the narrator remains focused on their exploration. The dominant tone is one of determined, almost obsessive, investigation into a space that seems deliberately designed to obscure. The central tension arises from the narrator's distrust of the "corridors" and their suspicion that the space holds hidden "sections... Not on the floor plan." This suggests a relationship or situation where information is withheld, and the narrator feels compelled to uncover truths that are intentionally concealed. The plea to "assure me" and "satisfy my suspicions" highlights a desperate need for clarity, fearing they might be "trick[ed] to co-author your plans" without full knowledge. The most striking aspect of the craft is the extended metaphor of the house as a psyche or a complex, guarded secret. The narrator's actions – "stroke your walls," "lay prone," "fingers probing the molding" – are intimate yet invasive, revealing a deep desire to understand the structure's hidden mechanisms. The discovery of "volumes of polaroids" that "Commemorate / Nothing to speak of" is a particularly sharp detail, suggesting a superficial presentation of memories or events that lack genuine substance or meaning, further fueling the narrator's search for something more substantial. This lyrical approach is effective because it grounds abstract emotional states in concrete, albeit surreal, imagery. The narrator's obsessive quest feels both deeply personal and universally resonant for anyone who has grappled with hidden truths or complex relationships. The meticulous detail in describing the probing and searching, combined with the growing suspicion of elaborate, unseen "plans," creates a compelling narrative of someone determined to break through artifice to find genuine understanding, even if it means confronting uncomfortable realities.