Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this. I know I'm trying to be a little too analytical about this. Joni's meanings (in her best songs) are conveyed implicitly, not obviously. That's part of the beauty of them. I get caught up on the word IT though -- so specific, so particular, yet with no clear corresponding subject (maybe that's part of the point). I guess the song's about the sadness (tragedy) of noble failure.
So why title her latest work TRAVELOGUE, with the clear reference to Amelia and a life filled with picture postcard charms. The regret in that verse stems from the realization that the inspired urgency of exploration has resulted in nothing more than a collection of sweet little snapshots. I wouldn't think she would view her life's work that way. Or does she see the title to simply mean a tour of her work? But then she prints the postcard line in the booklet. I read 'picture postcard charms' as a dismissive phrase, signifying something of little lasting value. Bruce
