An Appointment

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a narrator disillusioned with "government," seeking solace in nature. They observe a squirrel, a creature seemingly unburdened by societal structures or authority, finding a stark contrast between its wild freedom and the narrator's own discontent. This initial scene sets a tone of quiet rebellion and a yearning for unappointed, instinctual existence. The central tension arises from the comparison between the squirrel's "fierce tooth and cleanly limb" and the narrator's own perceived limitations, possibly stemming from the "tame will" or "timid brain." The squirrel's ability to "spring" and "laugh" is presented as a direct consequence of its lack of external appointment, a freedom the narrator seems to envy. The repeated idea of "government" acts as the antagonist, representing the forces that stifle natural impulse and impose order. The most striking craft element is the repeated assertion that the squirrel's prowess is not "appointed." This phrase, appearing twice, directly links the creature's vitality and joy to its autonomy. The narrator uses the squirrel's "low whinnying sound / That is like laughter" to emphasize a pure, unadulterated expression of being, something seemingly absent in the world governed by human decree. The imagery of the squirrel leaping "to the other tree at a bound" further solidifies this sense of effortless, unhindered movement. These lyrics resonate because they tap into a primal desire for freedom from constraint. The specific, almost clinical observation of the squirrel's physical attributes, juxtaposed with the abstract concept of "government," creates a powerful, albeit brief, argument for the superiority of unmediated existence. The writing effectively uses a natural scene to critique imposed order, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of the squirrel's wild, unappointed joy.