Automat – 1927
A fast-food restaurant running at all hours, every day,
hosting a home for anyone and everyone, for any service needed.
A couple catch their breath from pelting raindrops,
a family looks for a bathroom with a child who forgot to go home,
a businessman stops by for a quick bite before rushing to work,
but they all eventually leave.
A lady,
grasping onto the sides of her cup, long been
empty,
stares at the caved-in glass.
Here, a hole carved out to suit others’ needs.
She was tired of that,
tired of trying to fit others’ expectations,
tired of fulfilling their desires,
tired of trying her best.
And owning nothing warmer than the
threadbare green coat with a fur lining.
It’s not like she didn’t want a new jacket,
but her abused wallet held not a cent.
The money went to buy the
contouring secondhand red dress she
nervously pulled down,
for it was a size or two small and too cold,
one bonded leather glove already disappeared from
smacking her date,
cheek to cheek and
storming away.
Tears welled up in her eyes but did not drop,
confused,
wondering whether to be
tristful or enraged.
the cheerful gleam of the sun traded with the calm reflection of the moon.
Yet she continued to stare at the cup,
reflecting.
Your ekphrastic poem based on Edward Hopper’s ‘Automat’ is incredibly evocative. The way you’ve captured the woman’s sense of resignation and weariness amidst the bustling atmosphere of the restaurant is deeply moving. The details you’ve woven into the narrative, from the threadbare green coat to the vanished leather glove, add layers of complexity to her character. The poem’s exploration of societal expectations and the woman’s internal struggle to assert her identity is both poignant and relevant. Overall, a masterful interpretation that honors the spirit of the painting while offering a fresh perspective.
inspiring!!
Wow. The contrast between the bustling environment of the fast food restaurant and the womans solitary is striking. And the description of her longing for warmth, both physical and emotional, resonates deeply.
Your poem truly breathes life into the painting, offering readers a fresh perspective and deeper insight into its themes of isolation and introspection. The imagery of the empty cup and the woman’s longing gaze beautifully encapsulates feelings of loneliness and disillusionment. I am moved.
I love how you delved into the nuances of the woman’s emotions in this. The juxtaposition of the busy, transient nature of the restaurant with the woman’s inner turmoil is both poignant and thought-provoking.