Relationships with animals can sometimes feel easier than relationships with humans - anecdotally, this feels true for myself and others that I’ve spoken to. This might be because there is a certain simplicity to a relationship with animals that we can struggle to find with other humans because of the many social roles, including gender-based roles, that we embody on a daily basis. Research shows that animals can be a helpful for survivors of trauma, and particularly for children who have witnessed domestic violence (Muela et. al, 2019).
The lyrics of ‘Song for Bumble’ touch upon the themes of fear, patience, and simplicity. Bumble is a rescue cat, and the song emphasises the feelings of fear that I felt that Bumble and I had in common at the time I adopted her when I was living alone during the pandemic. The guitar part consists of a simple, repetitive riff which, during the writing process, signified the feeling of returning home, both physically and emotionally.
Further Resources
Mitzy’s Kitty Corner: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064818138955
MUELA, A., AZPIROZ, J., CALZADA, N., SOROA, G. and ARITZETA, A., 2019. Leaving A Mark, An Animal-Assisted Intervention Programme for Children Who Have Been Exposed to Gender-Based Violence: A Pilot Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (21),.
