A loss - considering the time frame when this was composed, I'd say such loss would be the death of his mother, although the lyrics are ambiguous enough to fit into a simple breakup - hits him really hard, and he doesn't know how to escape from the sorrow that haunts him every day, hence the 'I can't go on digging roses from your grave'.
With the loss, Billy doesn't know how to escape or how to retain the love from that lost person. He mentions how he did everything for her, enduring personal hell (the braces in your deep), loneliness (withstanding suitors), trying whatever that was possible and more (pulling down heavens), yet it was in vain.
In a moment of pain, he thinks that all this person has to do is to go away swiftly - just 'become a mystery to gaze into, to run away' - but it's isn't possible, he can't get her out of his head. He even finds it unfair: 'You're so cruel'.
The nightmare - pain - still rides on for him, as he can't seem to find a way to grief over the loss. That person demanded/meant much for him and that leaves him destroyed, but he is aware of the fact that this can't go on, he can't linger on the pain forever.
It's no coincidence that this leads into 'For Martha', since there he finishes grieving. It's 13 minutes in total of pure, pure Corgan genius.
A loss - considering the time frame when this was composed, I'd say such loss would be the death of his mother, although the lyrics are ambiguous enough to fit into a simple breakup - hits him really hard, and he doesn't know how to escape from the sorrow that haunts him every day, hence the 'I can't go on digging roses from your grave'.
With the loss, Billy doesn't know how to escape or how to retain the love from that lost person. He mentions how he did everything for her, enduring personal hell (the braces in your deep), loneliness (withstanding suitors), trying whatever that was possible and more (pulling down heavens), yet it was in vain.
In a moment of pain, he thinks that all this person has to do is to go away swiftly - just 'become a mystery to gaze into, to run away' - but it's isn't possible, he can't get her out of his head. He even finds it unfair: 'You're so cruel'.
The nightmare - pain - still rides on for him, as he can't seem to find a way to grief over the loss. That person demanded/meant much for him and that leaves him destroyed, but he is aware of the fact that this can't go on, he can't linger on the pain forever.
It's no coincidence that this leads into 'For Martha', since there he finishes grieving. It's 13 minutes in total of pure, pure Corgan genius.