Auburn Annie, I think you are right. Gordon was using a 'metaphor'to paint a picture in a very few words, of the way felt at that time about a situation he found himself in.
It very much reminds me of Paul Simon's line in 'Mrs Robinson' "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio? A nation lifts it's lonely eyes to you.." Was this not a metaphor for the passing of a bygone era?
The skill of a craftsman
