Bag Of Bones

Mitski's 'Bag Of Bones' is a poignant exploration of weariness and the desire for release from the burdens of self and existence. The song's lyrics paint a picture of someone who feels 'all used up,' a sentiment that resonates with the exhaustion of being consumed by life's demands and the gaze of others. The repeated imagery of nail color wearing off and the request to look at the singer's hands suggests a life lived for the sake of appearance, now fading and asking for acknowledgment of the person beneath the surface.

The metaphor of carrying a 'bag of bones' is particularly evocative, symbolizing the weight of existence that the protagonist drags around. This burden is both physical and emotional, a collection of experiences and expectations that have become a heavy load to bear. The fluorescent store lights that 'illuminate my pores and tear me apart' could represent the harsh scrutiny of society or self-examination that leaves the individual feeling exposed and fragmented.

Mitski's request for mercy and the desire to 'let go' of the search for meaning or fulfillment reveals a deep yearning for peace and the freedom to exist without the pressure of constant striving. The closing lines, 'Let's shake this poet out of the beast,' suggest a struggle between the raw, instinctual self and the more refined, expressive aspect of the person, indicating a complex internal battle between different facets of identity.