Meaning of "Souvenirs" by Dan Fogelberg

The song "Souvenirs" by Dan Fogelberg explores the bittersweet nature of memories and the passage of time. The poet receives physical mementos from his past, such as a poem from his lover and a key to a childhood home that has been destroyed, which serve as reminders of what once was but can never be recaptured. The smoke rising in the canyon symbolizes the past creeping back into the present, bringing forth emotions that are too powerful to contain. The mention of a sunrise and ghosts of the dawn moving near suggests that while memories may stir up sorrow, they also have the power to bring a sense of peace and stillness. Overall, the lyrics reflect on the complexities of nostalgia and the inevitable pain that comes with revisiting the past.