After The Fire...

WARNING: This next chapter is a side effect of the previous blog and may contain references to several songs and albums.

"I knew that our love was just a car crash away...."

It was just a matter of time before something as love would explode. But then again it could also be compared to a wheel spinning round and round or a ride from which you desperately want to get off. How bad was it exactly, like Willy Wonka's boat ride?

"There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction they are going!
There's no knowing where they're rowing,
Or which way they river's flowing!
Not a speck of light is showing,
So the danger must be growing,
For the rowers keep on rowing,
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing...
STOP THE BOAT!"

And it felt like it was over, love went out the window and it died. The part "her dying on my windshield" of the song could also be a pun for "diamonds on my windshield", which was the name of a song by Tom Waits.

If there is one parallel situation they could have in common is the element of the car. This also has been a recurring dream of mine. Sometimes you are the one who drives, sometimes they drive you.  When you dream of a car accident: it symbolizes our emotional state. We may be harboring deep anxieties and fears. This dream may tell us to slow down before we hit disaster.  Rethink or re-plan your course of actions and set yourself on a better path.

To dream of a car crash  indicates that beliefs, lifestyles, or goals are clashing with another's. It may also represent a shocking situation or painful experience. Alternatively, car crashes may forewarn of  dangerous or careless driving habits.
(source: http://dreammoods.com/)

Then I guess the comparison of this element with a breakup fit quite good.

This part also reminds us of heavy rain. And this takes us back to the Tom Waits song:

"Diamonds on my windshield
Tears from heaven
Pulling into town on the Interstate
Pulling a steel train in the rain
The wind bites my cheek through the wing
Fast flying, freway driving
Always makes me sing."

"Diamonds on my windshield
Tears from heaven".

...yet instead of water we find blood, a heated discussion, a storm full of pain. And the lament continues:

"She blew me her death-kiss
And the mouth-marks
bled down my eye
like her dying,
on my windshield."

"I can already feel
her worms
eating my spine.
So how can it be this lonely?
Is this all we get
for our lives?
Is love only sweeter when one
of us dies?"

In dreams the spine symbolizes strength, stamina and responsibilities. Even more curious is that the Tarot could also compare the spine to the Wands, or more accurately The King Of Wands.

The card depicts a man who is decisive and passionate . His throne has no limits, which indicates infinite possibilities.The lion and the salamander at his feet symbolize his purified desire and a decisive will that remains unbroken even when tested by trying circumstances and fire.

The Suit of Wands is also related to fire, and:

"Love is a fire.

Burns down all that it sees.

Burns down everything.

Everything you think

will burn everything you say."

For here the identity of the person being threathened is more than obvious. His fire will destroy everything that's left. For a while we flashback to the first song of EAT ME, DRINK ME , "If I Was Your Vampire":

"6:19 and I know I'm ready

Drive me off the mountain.
You'll burn, I'll eat your ashes
The impossible wheels seducing
our corpse."

As if this song was the consequence of this last one. It certainly is no surprise because, according to Manson "Just A Car Crash Away" was written and completed first in EMDM, click for the full interview

Compare other ways in which the element of fire is used in the video in "Heart-Shaped Glasses" in the final sequence where the car is set on fire and drives off a cliff.

`We must burn the house down!' said the Rabbit's voice; and
Alice called out as loud as she could, `If you do. I'll set Dinah at you!'

"Diamonds On My Windshield" ends:

"Remember someone that you met
One more block; the engine talks
And whispers 'home at last'
It whispers, whispers, whispers
'home at last', home at last."

The place once called "home" is no more. But we must find a way to build an even better home with other foundations.

`The race is over!' and they all crowded round it, panting, and asking, `But who has won?'