Meaning of "Postcard" by Steven Wilson

"Postcard" explores the theme of depression, isolation, and loss. The lyrics depict a narrator who is emotionally and mentally defeated, living a monotonous existence devoid of joy or motivation. The repeated reference to the kitchen floor symbolizes their inability to move forward or find purpose in life. The locked door and blocked windows suggest their desire to shut out the world and withdraw from society. The loss of appetite and self-obsession indicate a deep level of sadness and self-absorption, further isolating the narrator from their surroundings. The inability to light a cigarette represents a loss of control or pleasure in simple activities. Furthermore, the dead lighter and cut-off gas represent a lack of resources to ignite any sort of inspiration or hope. The narrator's sense of being constantly watched and read about suggests they feel like a spectacle or a subject of public scrutiny, adding to their feelings of loneliness and despair. The line about the fire inside their eyes being extinguished represents the loss of passion, energy, and vitality that once fueled their life. The final realization that everything that mattered vanished when the narrator lost their loved one indicates that the source of their despair and emptiness stems from a significant loss. Overall, "Postcard" paints a bleak portrait of depression, emphasizing the sense of isolation, apathy, and hollowness that can accompany it.