In Raymond Carver's work, the narrator reflects on an unexpected and unsettling journey into deeper thoughts about life and mortality. They express confusion about how they arrived at this point, suggesting a shift in their perspective that has crossed an invisible boundary. This transition reveals a shift from innocent musings to more serious considerations of existential themes.
The mention of "harmless dreaming" indicates that what started as lighthearted or casual thoughts has evolved into a more profound and troubling contemplation of death and annihilation. This change highlights the vulnerability of the human mind and the fragility of seemingly carefree moments, hinting at the complexity of human emotions and the inevitability of confronting darker realities.