I think the way that he alludes to "pale green things" (grass coming through the asphalt, the wet leaves, seaweed and Indiana sawgrass) throughout the song was a way of juxtaposing the death of his stepfather with something that really represents new live, along with being parts of his memories of his stepfather.
I think the way that he alludes to "pale green things" (grass coming through the asphalt, the wet leaves, seaweed and Indiana sawgrass) throughout the song was a way of juxtaposing the death of his stepfather with something that really represents new live, along with being parts of his memories of his stepfather.