I believe that “ribbon bows” is pretty straightforward. our narrator is lounging at a spring, thinking about her failed relationship: “you want your love, love? come and get your love. I only took it back because I thought you didn't.” I think that she knows he does not, in fact, want it.
next, we have a scene in which she goes to a municipal pound, or animal shelter. she sees a lowly, unlovable looking dog, and bonds with it right away. I am willing to bet that a good deal of people can relate to looking into their dog's face and wondering what it was thinking. the narrator has been questioning god lately, and his plans for her if he does exist. after all, she's been through a lot. she is looking into that dog's sweet, loving face, and asking it questions about god.
she knows that she is unlike her mother, and even a probable source of shame. the old song by karen dalton is referenced here: she goes out, gets drunk, and starts singing it. the song is tragic, and she starts feeling down, but no matter how depressed she gets she “reckon[s she's] felt worse and still held fast.”
when she gets home, she continues questioning god. I believe that “kingfisher” is continuation of this line of questioning.
I believe that “ribbon bows” is pretty straightforward. our narrator is lounging at a spring, thinking about her failed relationship: “you want your love, love? come and get your love. I only took it back because I thought you didn't.” I think that she knows he does not, in fact, want it.
next, we have a scene in which she goes to a municipal pound, or animal shelter. she sees a lowly, unlovable looking dog, and bonds with it right away. I am willing to bet that a good deal of people can relate to looking into their dog's face and wondering what it was thinking. the narrator has been questioning god lately, and his plans for her if he does exist. after all, she's been through a lot. she is looking into that dog's sweet, loving face, and asking it questions about god. she knows that she is unlike her mother, and even a probable source of shame. the old song by karen dalton is referenced here: she goes out, gets drunk, and starts singing it. the song is tragic, and she starts feeling down, but no matter how depressed she gets she “reckon[s she's] felt worse and still held fast.”
when she gets home, she continues questioning god. I believe that “kingfisher” is continuation of this line of questioning.