The Dangling Conversation
Simon & Garfunkel -- Paul Simon Lyrics

It's a still-life watercolor
The scene is frozen and lacks vitality, as though captured on canvas.

Of a now-late afternoon
The moment in time being depicted is at the end of the day.

As the sun shines through the curtain lace
The sun is casting a warm glow through sheer fabric.

And shadows wash the room
The low light is causing shadowed areas in the space.

And we sit and drink our coffee
The artist and their partner are having a casual moment together.

Couched in our indifference
Both individuals are apathetic towards one another.

Like shells upon the shore
Their presence next to one another is akin to the empty shells one may discover on a beach.

You can hear the ocean roar
Despite their lack of communication, the sound of the ocean is ever-present and adds to the atmosphere of the moment.

In the dangling conversation
Their conversation is lacking depth, as it is not fully formed or discussed to completion.

And the superficial sighs
Their sighs are of no real meaning or heartfelt concern.

The borders of our lives
Their mundane interactions define their existence and the limits of their connection.

And you read your Emily Dickinson
One person is reading a certain poet's works.

And I my Robert Frost
The other person is reading a different poet's works.

And we note our place with book markers
They keep track of their progress in their respective works.

That measure what we've lost
The books are a reminder of what they've read and potentially gained from it.

Like a poem poorly written
Their relationship seems lackluster and may even be deemed a failure.

We are verses out of rhythm
The individuals' habits and personalities do not work together harmoniously.

Couplets out of rhyme
Their actions and reactions do not produce a pleasing end result.

In syncopated time
Their relationship is tinged with tension and irregularity.

Yes, we speak of things that matter
They make an attempt to talk about subjects of importance.

With words that must be said
Verbal communication is necessary in order to discuss these weighty topics.

Can analysis be worthwhile?
Are discussions and analysis necessary to gain benefit or insight?

Is the theater really dead?
An example is given to prompt further thought and discussion, but it may not be directly related to the conversation at hand.

And how the room has softly faded
The room's illumination has diminished slowly over time.

And I only kiss your shadow
The individuals are no longer as physically close as they once were.

I cannot feel your hand
The physical separation has become more pronounced and a sense of distance is palpable.

You're a stranger now unto me
The singer's partner has become unfamiliar to them, creating distance in their connection.

Lost in the dangling conversation
The conversation seems to have no direction or point, and both parties seem unsure of how to proceed.

And the superficial sighs
Their shallow, meaningless breaths or expressions of regret continue to take up the oxygen of the room.

In the borders of our lives
The limits and constraints of their lives provide a framework for their relationship, but also constrain their ability to open up to one another.