And when we look in through the windows, all we see are shadows. And when we try and listen, all we hear is a whispering. And we cannot understand the whispering, because our minds have been invaded by a war. A war that we have both won and lost. The very worst sort of war. A war that captures dreams and re-dreams them. A war that has made us adore our conquerors and despise ourselves.
The excerpt reflects a haunting perspective on trauma and its impacts on the psyche. It portrays the struggle of understanding one's surroundings when infested by the remnants of conflict, suggesting a sense of helplessness in making sense of reality. Shadows symbolize the elusive nature of truth, while the whispering signifies the fragmented memories and experiences that cannot be fully grasped due to the overwhelming nature of past struggles.
This war, described as one that leads to both victory and defeat, highlights the complex relationship between captors and their victims. It suggests a transformation of perception where the conquered are left to admire their oppressors while grappling with self-loathing. This duality of emotions showcases the profound effect of such conflicts on individual and collective identities, emphasizing a deep psychological struggle that lingers in everyday life.