Meaning of "Dead Set Eyes" by Emma Ruth Rundle

"Dead Set Eyes" delves into themes of confinement, powerlessness, and the struggle for freedom. The repeated imagery of being a slave to a taker, to a man, to a need reflects a sense of being controlled and exploited, whether by societal expectations, personal demons, or oppressive circumstances. The city is portrayed as callous and unforgiving, with two dead set eyes watching every move, creating a suffocating sense of surveillance and scrutiny. The mention of medication like Xanax and the idea that what doesn't kill you will just keep you alive or get high suggests a numbness and resignation to a life filled with pain and coping mechanisms. The longing for a future that was never meant to be and the impossibility of going back highlight a yearning for something better, something different. The repeated motif of taking the long way home signifies a journey filled with obstacles, delays, and detours, mirroring the difficulties of finding one's way in a world that seems intent on keeping you trapped.