Moved by Andrew's Movement

I’ve been slowly building a post pointing out which aspects regarding love, passion and devotion I notice throughout Hozier’s album “Wasteland, Baby!”. But truth is, the song Movement alone has impacted me in such a way as listener and poet myself that it doesn’t stop growing on me with each listen to the point of making me cry sometimes. So in the end I think it deserves its own post, because I could go on and on talking solely about this track and my regular posts would get even longer than the normal. Anyway, bear with me. :)

Through a series of fantastic metaphors, I sense a persona in complete state of awe and admiration for its object of affection; in which that person is so small against the bigger picture of the universe, yet gigantic and sublime by itself. Therefore, whether in motion of any sort or absolutely still, they always manage to shake the narrator to the core. Something beyond explanation.

Like Jonah, tiny compared to the ocean and the whale’s belly, but grand in his gift as prophet and his ability to prevail in life through stillness, faith and patience. Like the smooth water from a pool, able to be a mirror through which the narrator sees itself; and when whatever touches it and it moves, the waves themselves are a thing of grace to be beheld and cherished simply for what they are.

Like a willow tree, someone who is by nature imponent, especially once it reaches its true, final form; that may be battered by the wildest winds during storms or sweetly sway under the softest breezes, but whose roots keep it firm and strong on the ground in the end because that’s how things are. No matter how much the lyrical persona may try to compare its lover’s gracefulness, strength and delicacy to that of some of the best dancers in the world, it knows it won’t do them enough justice.

Like Atlas, who must stand still a lot because of the weight he carries on his shoulders. Because even in his sleep he is still strong, he is powerful, he is a titan, he does what needs to be done. He goes on with is burden throughout eternity without ever losing his dignity. Someone who reminds the narrator of all it can be and all it thought it had lost; who remains unapologetic no matter how flawed.

A person who can be as dark, scary and potentially destructive as the clouds that bring the storms, but that are fascinating and gracious and which change everything once they arrive. Literally a force of nature. A creature that makes you question everything you thought you believed in; who makes you see things as you’ve never had before. One that, like the birds-of-paradise, has colors like no other being and, as a bird, can do things others never will be able to, or at least not in the same way.

All I know is that the more I listen to this song, the more baffled I feel with what Andrew did here and I can’t even begin to imagine how it must feel/sound to be acknowledged and admired in such a degree by someone you love and respect. Just the metaphors by themselves and the way they were written and delivered are something I had never come across. I wouldnt know what to say. And of course it is how I wish everyone to be seen, for the fascinating universe that they are!

And let’s not even talk about the harmonies and instrumentation; it’s a track that from day one takes my breath away every single time. It’s a perfect match for the huge comparisons it presents to describe this precious being in all their grandeur both under the persona’s eyes and just for what it is. A beloved that shall be able to make it seem like time was suspended under its pull and echo from the heart long after either of them is gone. You just know it. At least I do, and it’s just beautiful.

15/04/2019

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