Got a long list of ex-loversThey'll tell you I'm insane
repetition of the way society views her, her reputation
Got a long list of ex-loversThey'll tell you I'm insane
repetition of the way society views her, her reputation
'Cause we're young and we're recklessWe'll take this way too far (ooh)It'll leave you breathless, mmhOr with a nasty scar (leave a nasty scar)Got a long list of ex-loversThey'll tell you I'm insaneBut I've got a blank space, babyAnd I'll write your name
repetition of chorus to once again state the main points of the song
blank space
repetition of title
Got a long list of ex-loversThey'll tell you I'm insane
once more talking of how she is portrayed in society, a crazy woman who gets into too many relationships
It'll leave you breathless, mmhOr with a nasty scar (leave a nasty scar)
the relationship will either leave u speechless because of how amazing it is or mentally scared because of how terrible the relationship as a whole was or how it ended.
Cause we're young and we're reckless
reasons why Swift chooses to have "many" romantic relationships she is experimenting in her youth and finding out who she could truly see herself being with forever
'Cause we're young and we're recklessWe'll take this way too far
using age as a way to reassure themselves the reason for the polarity and instability in the relationship
So it's gonna be foreverOr it's gonna go down in flamesYou can tell me when it's over (over)If the high was worth the painGot a long list of ex-loversThey'll tell you I'm insane (I'm insane)'Cause you know I love the playersAnd you love the game
repetition once more listeners can see the lines that Swift makes sure to reintroduce throughout the entire song, sharing her portrayed reputation time and time again
Boys only want love if it's tortureDon't say I didn't say, I didn't warn ya
repetition of the previous lines, emphasizing the point maybe even saying that the reason she is "crazy" is because boys don't love her when she is authentically herself
Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn ya
using this song as a warning? could also be referring to the previous line saying that she has told them how others refer to her, insane
Boys only want love if it's torture
stating that men are not interested in a pure love, they have that desire to want something more exciting and painful
But I've got a blank space
while could be seen as sarcastic, can also be seen as Swift saying while despite what media thinks, her heart is not full with people and she is still waiting for the right person
'Cause we're young and we're reckless (oh)We'll take this way too farIt'll leave you breathless (oh)Or with a nasty scarGot a long list of ex-loversThey'll tell you I'm insane (insane)But I've got a blank space, babyAnd I'll write your name
repetition, chorus used to emphasize the main idea of the song including the polarity of the relationship, stereotype of women that Swift is mocking, and maybe a genuine note about how she feels at the end
'Cause you know I love the players
stating that she goes after the wrong guys, maybe giving an answer on why she has had many public relationships not last
If the high was worth the pain
questioning if the short-lived happiness was worth the heartbreak that she knew was inevitable from the start
So it's gonna be foreverOr it's gonna go down in flames
repetition, talking about the polarity of the relationship
'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream
once more negative word compared to positive word
'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream
despite her appearance and being very inviting, she is not the perfect, sweet girl she appears to be
"Oh, my God, who is she?"
play at stereotypical jealous girlfriend, once more mocking stereotypes
Rose garden filled with thorns
perfect image that Swift had put up is now damaged, despite the pretty appearance, hurt and pain are deep rooted and you're bound to get hurt reminds me of the line about love being torture, picking up a beautiful rose will leave you in pain because of the thorns with it
I can make all the tables turn
almost implies she can create a whole new story within her head, mocking a stereotype that goes with woman changing the story in order to fit their desires
perfect storms
despite storms being mostly used negatively, Swift is saying these are perfect, maybe they were fated, meant to happen
perfect storms
once more usage of a positive and negative
Screaming, crying, perfect storms
drastic shift mood, much more aggressive and negative
the worst is yet to come
implies their relationship is only dealing with the positives at this time, the negatives are about to show
Find out what you wantBe that girl for a month
Swift is only pretending to be perfect in order for the guy to be attracted to her almost gives off insecurity, has to pretend to be something she isn't in order to give attention
You're the King, baby, I'm your Queen
mocking the stance of the man being the dominant one, kings are usually seen as more powerful as kings in society
Stolen kisses, pretty lies
the words stolen and lies show negative connotations but are contradicted by the words kisses and lies maybe continuing to play onto the fact of the positives and negatives when it comes to her?
Cherry lips, crystal skies
positive connotation
blank space, babyAnd I'll write your name
sarcastic, playing on the fact people believe she is a player, saying the guy could be the next person that she is supposedly in love with
blank space, babyAnd I'll write your name
blank space in her heart, she has room in her heart for the guy to be stating that she has fallen in love with the guy?
They'll tell you I'm insane
repetition, pushing the point of her bad reputation could even mean that she is trying to warn the guy about her past before getting him too involved
We'll take this way too far
the relationship that was meant to be a "game" or something fun will turn into something too serious
It'll leave you breathlessOr with a nasty scar
once more talking about how their relationship will either be good or bad maybe showing that she is quick to change moods, quick to show her good and then bad side
And you love the game
referring to herself as a game, maybe with her status as a player, people often see her as a challenge to break people using her as a way of entertainment
Got a long list of ex-lovers
playing into the idea of her being a player
They'll tell you I'm insane
emphasis on the reputation Swift holds, confirms it is indeed negative
So it's gonna be foreverOr it's gonna go down in flames
either this relationship will be great and long-lasting or end in a terrible way fire symbolizes anger, relationship will end in anger and strong emotions
I could show you incredible things
trying to convince the guy,
look at that face
focusing on looks, plays into the idea that the world has of her being a player because she is only looking at appearance
I can make the bad guys good for a weekend
emphasize on how quick the relationships between her and others go, playing into the role that society has given her as a player
I'm dying to see how this one ends
plays more into the idea of that Swift views it as a game, very sarcastic tone
And I know you heard about me
infers that she has a reputation, most likely a bad one Taylor swift has been negatively noted to be a player
Ain't it funny rumors fly
the idea she has of him is made up by rumors
New money, suit and tieI can read you like a magazine
already has an idea of what the guy is like by his appearance, descriptive words make it seem like the guy is more stuck up due to the fact she is focusing on his money
Love's a game, wanna play
comparing love to a game makes it seem not serious, making it seem fun and playful while love is usually seen as something serious
You look like my next mistake
has not had a good past in relationships, referring to other relationships as mistakes, regretful
Magic, madness, heaven, sin
she has flaws but also things that make her good polar opposites
Nice to meet you, where you been?
maybe even sarcastic? they haven't been around each other in a while, feels like they are meeting for the first time ever
Nice to meet you, where you been?
meeting someone for the first time, warmness in tone
Blank Space
something empty, something lacking
And when we go crashing down (now we go), we come back every time'Cause we never go out of style, we never go out of style
once more repetition, they will always be perfect for one another
daydream
she views him as a dream, emphasizes how she views him as a dream, he's perfect
James Dean
famous actor, known for his looks
Take me homeJust take me homeYeah, just take me home
repetition, emphasizes her desire to be her him
Take me homeJust take me home
she ignores the toxic cycle and gives in, she wants to continue her relationship with the guy
when we go crashing down, we come back every time'Cause we never go out of style (we never go), we never go out of style
repetition, despite toxic cycle they come together once more and are perfect again
You got that long hair, slicked back, white T-shirtAnd I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt (a tight little skirt)
once more only describing their looks, only know each other on a surface level
Cause we never go out of style, we never go out of style
this could also be meaning that despite their tiring cycle, they never truly get tired of it, they view each other as in style implying that they think their dynamic is cool
'Cause you got that James Dean daydream look in your eye
only description of the guy is of appearance, almost implies that they don't know each other on a deeper level
'Cause you got that James Dean daydream look in your eyeAnd I got that red lip classic thing that you like
once more pairing their appearance together, they go together perfectly
I've been there too a few times
she relates to this, she has also tried to move on but can't, also shows that she hasn't been loyal to him during their break which is different from her usually songs that show the wrong doings of the guy
What you heard is true, but ICan't stop thinkin' 'bout you and I
despite him trying to move on from their relationship, he can't bring himself to do so, he's honest with her
"I heard, ohThat you've been out and about with some other girl, some other girl"
they aren't loyal to each other, more toxicity she's not really upset at this rumor, maybe she knows that they will always come back together eventually
he's taking off his coat
the cycle continues, after they drive he's staying over, "taking off his coat" implies that he is staying a while and getting comfortable
The lights are off
another form of darkness of their relationship
He can't keep his wild eyes on the road, mm
he can't keep his eyes off her, not able to focus on the road, implies affection he has of her but, also can show that he's infatuated with her looks, not really her personality?
when we go crashing down, we come back every time'Cause we never go out of style, we never go out of style
repetition, emphasizes the toxic relationship the two go through with one another
we never go out of style, we never go out of style
despite their toxic cycle within their relationship, they are still perfect together, they are still "in style"
You got that long hair, slicked back, white T-shirtAnd I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt
pairing of description of one another, shows that they are perfect together
when we go crashing down, we come back every time
toxic cycle emphasizes, they fight, but in the end they always find their way back to one another,
You got that James Dean daydream look in your eye
describing the guy, implying that he is perfect. maybe reassuring herself the toxic cycle is worth it for someone who is perfect?
Watch us go 'round and 'round each time
reminds me of a merry go round. this is saying that the cycle of them meeting and then ignoring each other is a cycle that continues. a toxic cycle
IKnow exactly where it leads
implies this is a situation that is reoccurring, not a one time thing.
And I should just tell you to leave
knows that he isn't truly good for her, realizes what she should be doing instead of willingly hanging out with him
It's been a while since I have even heard from you
they don't keep in contact, only hang out when it's convenient? the guy was the one to initiate contact, power dynamic maybe?
Could end in burning flames or paradise
the drive could either end super bad or really good, implies the end of their relationship
MidnightYou come and pick me up, no headlights
Implies that they hang out at night, which is known that couples who only hang out and talk at night don't truly care for one another
Midnight
sets a setting for the song
You come and pick me up, no headlights
mysterious mood, gives darkness because lack of light
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
almost evil effect
I see him there Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
also could be defending the wall, not wanting it to break
And on a day we meet to walk the line And set the wall between us once again.
reoccurring, boundary of wall has always been there
He will not go behind his father's saying,
despite maybe not truly agreeing with the saying, he sticks to what he has known
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
secret, mysterious
I see him there Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
how the narrator sees the neighbor, maybe implies that he's the one who has damaged the wall?
Something there is that doesn't love a wall,
repetition,narrator does not like the wall
Isn't it Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
walls are only needed where there are things like cows, places you need to contain something, human building up emotional walls is only needed when trying to cease emotions
If I could put a notion in his head: ‘Why do they make good neighbors?
wants to convince him that the wall is not needed, pleading
‘Good fences make good neighbors.’
he believes the wall is needed, does not want the distance to be shorten
My apple trees will never get across And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him.
the narrator is expressing the uselessness of the wall to the neighbor, feels strongly that there is no point to the wall
He is all pine and I am apple orchard.
his side of the wall holds pine tree while the narrators holds an orchard, shows uselessness of the wall
There where it is we do not need the wall
the wall is actually not needed, the distant between the two is useless
We wear our fingers rough with handling them.
metaphor of fixing something broken, sometimes in order to fix something you have to go through more hurt
To each the boulders that have fallen to each. And some are loaves and some so nearly balls
emphasizes the damage of the wall
We keep the wall between us as we go.
they do not warm up to each other, uncomfortable in each other's presence.
And set the wall between us once again.
creating distance between the two, shows distant relationship, they are not close
No one has seen them made or heard them made,
ominous tone, nobody knows how the wall is able to become so damaged
of hunters is another thing: I have come after them and made repair
the hunters are the ones who do not like the wall, the narrator is the one who goes to the wall in order to make repairs.
And makes gaps
once more talking of the damaged wall
Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun;
implying that the wall is in need of fixing, something that is by the wall, whether its natural or not, does not like it. It's causing the wall to be damaged
that doesn't love a wall,
The narrator does not like the wall, maybe it does not like the separation it brings? The wall is in the way of things
Good fences make good neighbors.’
idea of separation,
He is all pine and I am apple orchard
pine trees are always green, while apple trees go out of season
Mending Wall
implies something is broken, needs mending?
the joking voice, a gesture I love
lighthearted
It’s evident the art of losing’s not too hard to master though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
though experiencing loss is seen as difficult and has the value to ruin you, learning to accept defeat and continue your life is not as difficult as you would imagine
I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster.
idea of being able to pick yourself up after loss and go on with your life
I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster.
despite losing these things, because she has had to master the art of loss from a young age, she didn't allow it to ruin her and her attitude
vaster,
emphasis on the great deal she has loss throughout her life
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster, some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
she has experienced a lot of loss within her life
The art of losing isn’t hard to master.
she is able to accept the loss of these people, and connects the art of losing to herself. she believes that she has mastered the art of loss
I lost my mother’s watch. And look! my last, or next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
at a young age, her family died, had to master the art of losing people at a young age, had to master being able to continue with your life after a big loss
losing farther, losing faster
losing things that are bigger and more significant in your life, like dreams of your future
Then practice losing farther, losing faster: places, and names, and where it was you meant to travel. None of these will bring disaster.
after practicing loss on small things within your life, allow yourself to become comfortable with the ideas of main things in your life, including friends, dreams, aspirations being lost
The art of losing isn’t hard to master.
repetition, stating the main point of the poem which is losing is apart of life and to not let it overcome you
Accept the fluster of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
allow yourself to be defeated or feel like something has been lost instead of overwhelming yourself
Lose something every day
lose something everyday in order to master the art of loss, allows the initial loss to not overwhelm you
their loss is no disaster.
something was doomed from the beginning, making their lost not significant because it was expected compared to the loss of something that was supposed to succeed.
seem filled with the intent
some things are destined to be lost from the beginning
The art of losing isn’t hard to master;
unlike like other art forms, losing isn't a difficult skill to be good at
One Art
the art of something, grief and loss
One Art
idea of her being an artist
The sea grows old in it.
the ocean is very old, the sea is growing old and tired of the constant damage that humans do upon it
what can not revive its youth.
despite the ability to continue being apart of the world, it will never be as great as it once was because of the damage
Repeated evidence has proved that it can live
history has shown that despite all of the damage the ocean has had to endure, it will be able to continue being apart of the world
of cornice, dynamite grooves, burns, and hatchet strokes
heavy negative connotation, showing the negative things that have happened to the ocean, pollution
external
visible
Allexternal marks of abuse are present on this defiant edifice—
talking of pollution in the ocean, abuse by humans of the oceans? maybe talking of the way the water has affected the cliff that is next to the ocean because of the use of edifice
bespattered jelly fish, crabs like green lilies, and submarine toadstools, slide each on the other.
describes the diversity of the ocean, showing the greatness
iron through the iron edge
using a strong metal, like iron, to describe the power the ocean has
bodies
gives darker effect by using the word bodies, creepy and eerie
illuminating theturquoise sea
the sun is able to show the true beauty of the sea
split like spun glass
simile, allows us to see more of an image in our heads
the submerged shafts of the sun,
the word choice shows that there isn't much suns other than shafts peering through the waves, carries on the darkness of the ocean
The barnacles which encrust the side of the wave, cannot hide
talking of the things within the ocean, setting up theme of environment
The Fish
hints at the focus of the title and maybe the perspective
ash-heaps;
once again setting up a darker feel to the ocean, the fish is swimming seeing these things
crow-blue
dark blue, darkness of the sea, maybe showing how unknown the ocean is?
through black jade.
describes the darkness of the ocean, appealing to imagery
indifferently to him, who had driven out the cold and polished my good shoes as well.
feeling that he shouldn't be speaking indifferently because the father makes so much sacrifices for him and the family
indifferently
narrator and father not close, cannot talk with each other on a deeper level
No one ever thanked him.
no one, implying that even the narrator does not thank him, father still makes the family feel comfortable despite lack of appreciation
slowly
not excited to be called, shows distant between family?
cracked hands that ached from labor
emphasizes how hard-working the father is, physical damage because of amount of work
blueblack cold,
harsh cold winter, reason for getting up early, needs to make house warm
too
implies that he does this throughout the entire week, not just sundays
who had driven out the cold and polished my good shoes as well.
stuff that the father does to him, making the narrator forget all of the bad within the household
What did I know, what did I know of love’s austere and lonely offices?
questioning his traumatic feelings of the family because his father does so much and takes care of the family
fires blaze
starts the fire in the morning so family can wake up to warmth
cold splintering, breaking. When the rooms were warm
warmth fills the house because of the early mornings of his father
No one ever thanked him.
nobody noticed his hard work or what he provided to the household
Sundays too my father got up early
sunday is usually the day of rest, father works on a universal day of rest, emphasizes how hard his father works
fearing the chronic angers of that house,
referring to his traumatic childhood?
but losing his balance in the process, inexplicably falling, hitting the floor
mood is brought down, more negative feeling of doubt, and failure, fall of climax
and swiveling back to see an orange blur floating perfectly through the net.
mood picks back up despite his fall, he was able to be successful relating to the death of his friend, despite his death his legacy is still successful
and filling the lanes in tandem, moving together as brothers passing the ball
turner looked at his basketball team as a family, shows how much basketball meant to him, he felt a family relationship between his teammates
until the guard finally lunges out and commits to the wrong man
the guard guards the player that was running beside turner, allowing turner to continue his way to the net
while the power-forward explodes past them in a fury, taking the ball into the air
builds climax, very fast paced
with a wild, headlong motion for the game he loved like a country
he (Turner) loved basketball as much as someone would love their country, very prideful of it and relates a sense of home to being on the court.
who looks stunned and nailed to the floor in the wrong direction, trying to catch sight
the player is too complex of a basketball player for the other team to catch up or to understand his moves
an underhand pass toward the other guard scissoring past a flat-footed defender
flat-footed = insulting the other team, their defender is not great and is not a match to their tram
A hook shot kisses the rim and hangs there, helplessly, but doesn’t drop,
the moment of the ball barely making it in it, suspenseful and thrilling, starting off hopeful by their team gaining possession of the ball
perfectly, gathering the orange leather from the air like a cherished possession
basketball is taken like a valuable gift to the players, they are very passionate about it, very serious about the game