'Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman' by Michael Ondaatje
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Since my wife was born
she must have eaten
the equivalent of two-thirds
of the original garden of Eden.
Not the dripping lush fruit
or the meat in the ribs of animals
but the green salad gardens of that place.
The whole arena of green
would have been eradicated
as if the right filter had been removed
leaving only the skeleton of coarse brightness.
All green ends up eventually
churning in her left cheek.
Her mouth is a laundromat of spinning drowning herbs.
She is never in fields
but is sucking the pith out of grass.
I have noticed the very leaves from flower decorations
grow sparse in their week long performance in our house.
The garden is a dust bowl.
On our last day in Eden as we walked out
she nibbled the leaves at her breasts and crotch.
But there's none to touch
none to equal
the Chlorophyll Kiss
Editor 1 Interpretation
Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman: A Literary Criticism
Michael Ondaatje's "Notes for the Legend of Salad Woman" is a poem that strikes a chord with readers. It is a poem that transcends time and culture, touching on themes of identity, love, and loss. The poem is a masterpiece of modern literature, and in this literary criticism, we will explore its meaning and significance.
Overview of the Poem
The poem is divided into two parts, each with its own distinct style and tone. The first part is written in a more traditional style, with a narrative that is linear and easy to follow. The second part is more experimental, with a fragmented narrative that jumps back and forth in time.
The poem is about a woman named Salad Woman, who is a symbol of the narrator's past. She is the embodiment of the narrator's childhood and youth. The narrator reflects on his relationship with Salad Woman, which is one of love and loss.
Analysis of Part One
In the first part of the poem, the narrator introduces Salad Woman and describes her as a "prophetess." She is a woman who has a special connection to nature, and she uses this connection to heal and guide others. The narrator is drawn to her, and they form a close bond.
The poem describes the landscape around Salad Woman's home, which is an important element in her character. The hills and valleys, the lakes and streams, all reflect her connection to nature. The imagery is vivid and evocative, transporting the reader to this magical place.
As the poem progresses, the narrator begins to reflect on his relationship with Salad Woman. He describes their love as "a kind of madness," and he compares it to the intensity of a storm. Their love is all-consuming, and it takes over their lives.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the loss of Salad Woman. He describes her as a "ghost" who haunts him. He longs to be reunited with her but knows that it is impossible.
Analysis of Part Two
The second part of the poem is more experimental, with a fragmented narrative that jumps back and forth in time. The narrator reflects on different moments in his relationship with Salad Woman, and these moments are not presented in a linear fashion.
The imagery in this part of the poem is more abstract and surreal. The narrator describes Salad Woman as a "lighthouse," and he compares her to the moon and the stars. The imagery is dreamlike and otherworldly.
The fragmented narrative reflects the narrator's state of mind. He is haunted by memories of Salad Woman, and he cannot escape them. The past and the present blur together, and he is unable to move on.
The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on the significance of Salad Woman in his life. He realizes that she is a symbol of his past, and he must let go of her in order to move forward.
Themes and Significance
The themes of identity, love, and loss are central to the poem. The narrator's relationship with Salad Woman is a metaphor for his own identity. She represents his past and his youth, and he must come to terms with the loss of that part of his life in order to move forward.
The intensity of the love between the narrator and Salad Woman is a reflection of the intensity of life itself. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we must embrace every moment.
The loss of Salad Woman is a universal theme that resonates with readers. We have all experienced loss in our lives, and the poem reminds us that it is a natural part of the human experience.
Conclusion
"Notes for the Legend of Salad Woman" is a masterpiece of modern literature. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience, touching on themes of identity, love, and loss. The vivid imagery and experimental style make it a unique and powerful work of art. Michael Ondaatje's poem is a reminder that life is short, and we must embrace every moment.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Symbolism
Michael Ondaatje, the renowned Sri Lankan-Canadian poet, novelist, and essayist, is known for his unique style of writing that blends poetry and prose. His works are characterized by vivid imagery, rich symbolism, and a deep exploration of human emotions and experiences. One of his most celebrated poems, Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman, is a masterpiece that showcases his mastery of language and his ability to create a world that is both surreal and real.
The poem, which was first published in 1979 in his collection There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do, is a tribute to a woman who sells salads in the streets of Colombo, Sri Lanka. However, it is not a simple description of her life or her work. Instead, it is a complex and multi-layered exploration of the themes of identity, memory, and transformation.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the Salad Woman's life. The first part, titled "The Story," is a narrative that tells the story of the Salad Woman's life. It begins with her birth and childhood, where she is described as a "wild child" who runs through the streets of Colombo, playing with the other children. However, her life takes a tragic turn when her parents die, and she is forced to fend for herself. She becomes a street vendor, selling salads to make a living.
The second part of the poem, titled "The Legend," is a more abstract and symbolic exploration of the Salad Woman's life. It is a meditation on the nature of memory and identity, and how they are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves and others. The Salad Woman is described as a "mythical figure," a symbol of the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Her life is seen as a journey of transformation, from a wild child to a street vendor to a legend.
The third part of the poem, titled "The Notes," is a series of fragmented images and thoughts that reflect the Salad Woman's inner world. It is a stream-of-consciousness exploration of her thoughts and emotions, as she reflects on her life and her identity. The images are surreal and dreamlike, reflecting the Salad Woman's sense of dislocation and alienation from the world around her.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery and symbolism. Ondaatje is a master of creating vivid and evocative images that capture the essence of his subject. In Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman, he uses a range of images and symbols to explore the themes of the poem. For example, the Salad Woman is described as a "wild child," a symbol of the untamed and unbridled energy of youth. Her salads are described as "jewels," a symbol of the beauty and value of her work. The streets of Colombo are described as a "maze," a symbol of the complexity and confusion of life.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of language. Ondaatje's writing is characterized by a lyrical and poetic style that is both beautiful and powerful. He uses a range of literary devices, such as alliteration, repetition, and metaphor, to create a rich and complex tapestry of words. For example, in the second part of the poem, he writes:
"She is the story of the streets the legend of the city the notes of the night the voice of the wind"
This passage is a perfect example of Ondaatje's ability to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in his writing.
In conclusion, Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman is a masterpiece of imagery and symbolism that showcases Michael Ondaatje's unique style of writing. It is a tribute to a woman who represents the resilience and strength of the human spirit, and a meditation on the themes of identity, memory, and transformation. The poem is a testament to the power of language and the ability of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
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