Petals
Mariah Carey Lyrics

I've often wondered if there's ever been a perfect family
The singer has always questioned if a perfect family exists

I've always longed for undividedness and sought stability
The singer wants to have an unbroken family and seeks stability in her life

A flower taught me how to pray
The singer learnt how to pray from a flower

But as I grew, that flower changed
As the artist grew up, the flower she learnt from before changed

She started flaying in the wind
The flower started to wither away in the wind

Like golden petals scattering
Like how golden petals scatter, the flower started to wither away

And I miss you dandelion
The singer is missing a person she refers to as dandelion

And even love you
The artist still loves dandelion

And I wish there was a way
The artist wants to find a way

For me to trust you
The artist wishes she could trust dandelion

But it hurts me every time
However, it's painful for the singer

I try to touch you
to try to get closer to dandelion

I gravitated towards a patriarch so young predictably
The singer naturally went towards a male figure at a young age

I was resigned to spend my life within a maze of misery
The singer thought she would always be stuck in a life filled with sadness

A boy and a girl befriended me
The singer made friends with a boy and a girl

We're bonded through despondency
Their connection was based on their shared sadness

I stayed so long but finally
The artist stayed with them for a long time but eventually

I fled to save my sanity
she had to leave to preserve her mental health

And I miss you little sis
The singer is missing her younger sister

And Little brother
as well as her younger brother

And I hope you realize
The artist wants them to understand

I'll always love you
That she will always love them

(Always love you)

And although you're struggling
Even though they may be struggling

You will recover
They will get through it

(we're gonna make it maybe)

And I miss you little sis and little brother
The singer reiterates missing her siblings

So many I considered
The artist thought many people were her friends

Closest to me
People she was close to

Turned on a dime and sold me
Suddenly changed and betrayed her

Out dutifully
They did it without hesitation or question

Although that knife was chipping
Even though it was hurting her

Away at me
They ignored it and went to sleep

(Sleep) (Sleep) (Sleep)

And I missed a lot of life
The singer realizes she has missed out on many things

But I'll recover
She is hopeful that she can recover from it

Though I know you really like
Even though she knows they enjoy seeing her suffer

To see me suffer
they enjoy her suffering

Still I wish that you and I'd
Despite their actions, the singer still wishes

Forgive each other
That they can forgive each other

'Cause I miss you, Valentine
The artist is addressing someone she calls Valentine, missing them

And really loved you
She truly loved them

I really loved you
The singer repeats how much they loved Valentine

(I guess I loved you)

I tried so hard
The artist tried their best

But you drove me away
but Valentine pushed them away

To preserve my sanity
The singer had to leave to protect her mental health

And I found the strength to break away
The artist was able to find the strength to leave the situation