The Last Time I Saw Richard by Joni Mitchell is a reflective and poignant song about the disillusionment with love and the inevitable passage of time. The song centers around a conversation between the narrator and Richard, who represents a former lover or a close friend. Richard is cynical about love and relationships, believing they inevitably lead to heartbreak. The narrator initially resists his cynicism but eventually acknowledges the truth in his words as she witnesses the fleeting nature of romantic ideals. Key themes in the song include disillusionment, the passage of time, and the contrast between idealism and realism. Poignant moments include Richard’s declaration that all romantics will become cynical like him and the narrator’s eventual acceptance of this harsh reality.