To Wish Impossible Things

The Cure's 'To Wish Impossible Things' is a poignant exploration of nostalgia and the pain of lost dreams. The song opens with a wistful recollection of a time when life felt endless and filled with boundless possibilities. The imagery of the sun filling the sky and the stars illuminating the night evokes a sense of warmth and wonder, symbolizing a period of innocence and hope. These lines reflect a longing for the past, a time when the future seemed bright and limitless.

As the song progresses, the lyrics delve deeper into the emotional core of the narrator's memories. The mention of 'the sweetness of your skin' and 'the hope of all we might have been' suggests a romantic relationship that once held great promise. This relationship was a source of inspiration, giving the narrator the courage to dream big and 'wish impossible things.' The use of the word 'impossible' underscores the magnitude of these dreams, highlighting their unattainable nature and the deep yearning they inspired.

However, the tone shifts dramatically in the latter part of the song. The once bright and hopeful imagery is replaced with a cold, grey sky and dimmed stars, symbolizing the loss and disillusionment that have taken over the narrator's life. The repetition of 'all I wish is gone away' emphasizes the depth of this loss, as the dreams and hopes that once fueled the narrator's spirit have vanished. This stark contrast between the past and present underscores the theme of impermanence and the inevitable fading of youthful dreams.