Subway

The subway is a symbol of time and commitment to one’s path within the poem. The train is described as oncoming and for readers who are familiar with highspeed trains, the moment when the train arrives feels like an inflection point where the protagonist can choose to get on or let it pass her by. It feels analogous to the protagonist being of two minds and in a period of indecision about her identity.

Songbird

The songbird is a symbol of youth and freedom. The protagonist describes her desire to speak her mind as that of a songbird, illustrating her search to be free from the heavy mantle of expectation that her name brings.