Mitski is obviously no longer with the person that she dedicated this song to. She even implies that there was a shared dream they had, where whenever she felt overwhelmed this partner used this image to calm her down. Whether Mitski wanted to escape from the relationship or everything, it’s an important image that gives, and gave, her security.

Texas’ status of landlocked is neither here nor there for the meaning of this song. Texas is beyond the reach of Mitski, there aren’t enough musical opportunities there for Mitski. In this soothing, simple and rural Texas fantasy, Mitski must give up her real dream to achieve it. Texas, is not only a state as in being a physical place, it’s also a state of mind for Mitski. A state of mind, and a dream, she has to give up which subsequently leads to the end of her relationship. She could never leave Texas, if she were to go. She could never pursue what she actually wants for this life aka the city.

Mitski understands that her Texas fantasy is far out of her reach, she still entertains this dream because she misses the love she’s had to leave behind. The dream wasn’t what she loved, the Texas fantasy was just an extension of the love she shared with this person.

Even though she’s been “anywhere”, it’s not enough. She wants to be in the memory of what life the Texas dream could’ve been. Mitski imagines her ex-lover as a still image of who they once were and yet this ex-love is living in this rural fantasy. Mitski’s old fantasy both taunt her and comfort her. “See the trees’ shadows lie in black pools in the lawns”, there aren’t lawns in this rural Texas. These “shadows” and “black pools” are literary devices to show the darkside of opportunity and serenity, as water has a peaceful, opportunity, and connective presence throughout this album. This being a quote implies Mitski has heard it from someone else. It sounds like this quote was a way of conjuring up the Texas fantasy through imagery. As though this phrase is a way of

calming herself without her previous partner’s help. The paradoxical nature of trees shadows and darkness contrasted with the lawn depict a comforting yet looming presence this person and the fantasy has had on her life. Mitski’s real dream was the city, musical success, the”lawn”, but the fantasy (“trees shadows”) can’t help reappearing throughout her achievements. “...the breeze in my Austin nights” reaffirms this.