Meaning of "Clockwork" by Sleeping At Last

"Clockwork" delves deep into the theme of heartbreak and the slow process of healing that follows. The imagery of glass separating touch and phantom limbs of former love highlights the sense of disconnect and loss. The fear of being unable to fully heal from past pain is palpable, as the narrator struggles with the idea that emotional scars may run too deep to be mended easily. The reference to lifting up the ground to see the system of roots beneath alludes to the idea of examining the past in order to understand the present. The resurrection of life and hope depicted in the repetition of gears turning endlessly like clockwork symbolizes the cyclical nature of existence, where despite heartache, new beginnings are always possible and the world continues to evolve. The song captures the bittersweet essence of resilience and the human spirit's ability to persevere even in the face of adversity, ultimately finding solace in the inevitability of growth and renewal.