Figure Di Cartone

Le Orme's song "Figure Di Cartone" paints a poignant picture of a person living in a self-contained, imaginary world. The lyrics describe a life surrounded by cardboard figures and cloth dolls, symbolizing a retreat into a childlike, fantasy realm. This world is a stark contrast to reality, where the protagonist is isolated within four walls, disconnected from the past and indifferent to the future. The repetition of actions and the absence of time's value suggest a cyclical, almost stagnant existence.

The song delves deeper into the protagonist's psyche, revealing a mind lost in dreams and conversations with angels, trapped in a closed circle of madness. This imagery evokes a sense of lost youth, likened to a flower plucked from its branch in spring, symbolizing a premature end to innocence and vitality. The protagonist's actions, such as naming butterflies and confessing loves to the wind, highlight a desperate attempt to find meaning and connection in an otherwise empty and lonely existence.

In the evening, the protagonist dances alone in empty corridors, clutching a pillow tightly, and imagines the silhouette of a woman with her child on the white wall. This final image is both haunting and tender, suggesting a longing for maternal love and comfort. The song concludes with the protagonist finding a fleeting moment of happiness in sleep, a temporary escape from the harshness of their reality. Le Orme's evocative lyrics and melancholic tone create a vivid portrayal of isolation, lost innocence, and the fragile nature of the human mind.