"Nookie Wood" by John Cale is a metaphorical song that explores themes of escape, hiding, and imprisonment. The song invites the listener to imagine a place where they can find solace and refuge, symbolized by the "nookie wood." The phrase "If you're looking to find a place to hide, where the climate is cool and the river is wide" suggests the desire to escape from reality and find a peaceful environment. The "nookie wood" represents a sanctuary, a place free from judgment or troubles. The lyrics mention the "kitchens of the Mardi Gras" where the "cooks of pestilence meet, brewing up their bitter fruit." This could symbolize the negative influences or toxic people that one encounters in life. Cale suggests that escaping to the nookie wood is a way to avoid their harmful effects. The line "We're living memories for you tonight, and we could send them back to their distant lands" implies that the creatures in the woods, possibly representing one's inner desires or imagination, have the power to free or distance oneself from the memories or influences causing harm. However, the song also acknowledges the cyclical nature of life's struggles. The lyrics describe being taken on a journey back to a place where one serves time again, suggesting that even in the sanctuary of the nookie wood, one may ultimately find themselves trapped or imprisoned once more. Overall, "Nookie Wood" speaks to the human desire for escapism, the longing for a safe place away from the pressures and challenges of reality. It encourages the listener to seek such a haven but also acknowledges that escaping completely from life's hardships may be temporary or elusive.
