 The album 's sixth track , " Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer than They Are " is a three part narrative that uses pathetic fallacy , where the seasons ( summer , winter and spring ) reflect the atmosphere of the events being described , drawing " its inspiration from the singer 's often @-@ tragic childhood . The lyrics portray a man who has overcome tragedies in his life yet still feels haunted by their memory . " Steinman says that it was " the hardest song to write and get across . " 
