Closing My Eyes

Fleetwood Mac's song "Closing My Eyes" delves into the profound emotions of love, loss, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is grappling with solitude and the lingering presence of a past love. The opening lines, "Now it's the same as before and I'm alone again," set the tone for a reflective journey. The narrator is not wallowing in self-pity but rather accepting their circumstances with a sense of resignation and introspection. This acceptance is further emphasized by the lines, "With no sorrow for myself and I'm blaming no one else."

The recurring theme of closing one's eyes serves as a metaphor for retreating into memories and the inner world where the presence of the loved one is still vivid. The lines, "And closing my eyes and seeing you standing there," suggest that the narrator finds solace in these mental images, even though the physical separation remains. The song also touches on the idea of unfulfilled dreams and the inevitability of mortality, as seen in the lines, "But no use to try anymore as before. Someday I'll die, and maybe then I'll be with you." This poignant reflection underscores the depth of the narrator's longing and the hope for a reunion in the afterlife.

The latter part of the song shifts focus to the present, where the narrator observes the world around them with a sense of detachment. The lines, "To hear the people laugh, for they're all aglow, not knowing where to go," highlight a contrast between the narrator's inner turmoil and the seemingly carefree lives of others. The song concludes with a contemplation of life's purpose and the enduring power of love, as expressed in the lines, "It seems I know nothing now except my love for you and the strength in my hands to go on feeding your smile." This ending encapsulates the central theme of the song: the enduring nature of love and the strength it provides, even in the face of life's uncertainties and separations.