Lyric discussion by guardiandevil305 

Cover art for Wither lyrics by Dream Theater

Well, to clarify, the album is all based on specific events from the life of the writer. Everything here is based on personal experience.

However, having said that, I do agree that this song could be used as a metaphor in many different ways. But to be straightforward, it is written with writer's block as a topic. Take from it what you will...

I have my own meaning for it about a friendship with a fine female fellow that had suffered a tremendous injury... but after a lot of listening to this album, i got motivated to patch that shit up!

For me it was more about just straight up apologizing and how many times i'd tried before. But this song inspired a heart felt apology that was completely different from the others.

Explain "A Rite of Passage" with that analogy, please.

with which analogy? A rite of passage is about freemasonry, not based on experience but, the other 5 are.