The quote from Haruki Murakami's "Sputnik Sweetheart" evokes the fleeting nature of moments and experiences in life. It likens a journey on a night train to the unpredictable passage of time, where a brief glimpse of light symbolizes transient encounters that are quickly lost in the vastness of darkness. This imagery highlights how such moments, though ephemeral, can leave a lasting impression on our minds.
By closing one’s eyes, the narrator suggests that we can preserve these fleeting instants in our memory, even if just for a short while. This captures the essence of nostalgia and the way we hold onto particular moments that resonate with us, illustrating the profound impact that brief encounters can have on our emotional landscape.