Flores Nocturnas

Silvio Rodriguez's song "Flores Nocturnas" paints a vivid and melancholic picture of urban life, focusing on the metaphor of night flowers blooming along Fifth Avenue. These flowers symbolize the people who wander the city at night, particularly those who engage in transient and often sorrowful encounters. The lyrics describe these flowers as breaking through the darkness, hinting at the fleeting moments of connection and the hidden lives of those who frequent the night. The flowers' "fatal aroma" and their association with "suicides" and "complicity" suggest a deep sense of despair and the dark underbelly of urban existence.

Rodriguez questions the origins of these night flowers, pondering who planted them and what nourished their roots. This metaphor extends to the societal and economic conditions that give rise to such nocturnal wanderers. The song reflects on the harsh realities faced by these individuals, who are described as "disposable" and living off the "leftovers of love." The imagery of flowers crossing forbidden doors and knowing secrets that the singer will never know adds a layer of mystery and sadness, emphasizing the isolation and hidden struggles of these night dwellers.

The recurring theme of flowers that "cross forbidden doors" and "ensnare their dream of life in garlands without faith" underscores the hopelessness and lack of fulfillment in their lives. These flowers, which are "pale" and "disposable," represent the transient nature of their existence and the constant search for meaning and connection in a world that often overlooks them. The song's poignant lyrics and haunting melody capture the essence of urban loneliness and the silent suffering of those who live on the fringes of society.