Meaning of "Poor Little Allison" by Gordon Lightfoot

The lyrics of "Poor Little Allison" depict the internal struggles of a young woman named Allison. She is seen as standing alone in the night wind, wishing for something more, but unable to express her true feelings. Allison is surrounded by fair-weather friends who do not truly understand her. Despite her outward appearance of strength and pride, she is depicted as lonely and lost, dreaming of finding the right person but unable to establish genuine connections. The song captures the universal theme of loneliness and the struggle to express one's true emotions in a world that often values surface appearances over genuine vulnerability.