Butterfly Net

Caroline Polachek's 'Butterfly Net' is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of ephemeral love and the human desire to capture fleeting moments of connection. The song opens with a surreal image of a silent Earth and a sleeping London, setting a dreamlike stage where the protagonist encounters a significant other. This person appears with 'perfect timing,' likened to 'new petals in November,' suggesting an unexpected yet welcome presence. The use of 'disarming, fluorescent' to describe this figure adds a layer of ethereal beauty, making them seem almost otherworldly.

The recurring imagery of a 'butterfly net' symbolizes the protagonist's attempt to capture and hold onto the light and essence of this person. However, the act of trying to catch light with a net is inherently futile, highlighting the transient nature of their connection. The protagonist collects 'stupid ashes' as a way to hold onto something tangible after the person is gone, but this effort is ultimately in vain as the person remains 'unwavering' and 'unsubsiding,' defying the finality of goodbyes.

The song delves deeper into the emotional turmoil of this elusive relationship. The protagonist wishes for an 'umbrella of the sky' to wrap them up, indicating a desire for closeness and protection. Yet, the reality is one of 'faithful inertia,' where the protagonist is caught in a cycle of longing and unfulfilled desire. The poignant line 'Take this bag of wings and drown it in the Thames' suggests a surrender to the inevitable, a recognition that some things are too beautiful and fleeting to be captured or held onto. 'Butterfly Net' is a poetic meditation on the beauty and pain of transient connections, capturing the essence of moments that are as fleeting as they are profound.