Un Misil En Mi Placard
Gustavo Cerati
The Explosive Metaphor of Inner Turmoil in 'Un Misil En Mi Placard'
Gustavo Cerati's song 'Un Misil En Mi Placard' is a vivid exploration of inner conflict and emotional turmoil. The lyrics paint a picture of a couple seeking solace and connection, only to be interrupted by an unsettling discovery. The 'missile in the closet' serves as a powerful metaphor for hidden fears, unresolved issues, or latent dangers that can disrupt moments of intimacy and peace. This imagery suggests that beneath the surface of everyday life, there are explosive elements that can emerge unexpectedly, causing distress and fear.
The song begins with the couple on a couch, searching for each other both physically and emotionally. This search is interrupted by a 'strange sensation' and a 'premonition,' leading to a sudden halt in their intimate moment. The protagonist's actions—seeking warmth, lighting a cigarette, and feeling fear—highlight a sense of vulnerability and the need for comfort in the face of an unknown threat. The missile in the closet symbolizes this threat, something that is always present but not always visible, ready to disrupt their lives at any moment.
Cerati's use of the missile as a 'model to assemble but never to disassemble' further emphasizes the idea of unresolved issues that cannot be easily dismantled or ignored. The repeated mention of the missile being 'here too' suggests that these hidden dangers are not isolated incidents but pervasive elements in their lives. The song captures the tension between the desire for connection and the ever-present fear of disruption, making it a poignant reflection on the complexities of human relationships and the hidden struggles that lie beneath the surface.