Thursday, August 7, 2008

Eating Alone

Nighthawks, Edward Hopper, 1942
~~~
David posted a wonderful piece of his digital art today on Edward
Hopper. I love the strong simplicity of Hopper's work. It's so very
American and exudes a certain serenity. I've seen Nighthawks at
The Art Institute of Chicago and it brings to mind a poem I read
this week by Daniel Lusk.
~~~
Understudy
.
Old men who eat alone in small cafes
arrange the silver carefully
beside the plate.
.
It crawls inside their cuffs
and edges out again along their templates
and the gothic arches of their brows.
.
Arranging is the life
now
isn't it.
.
Old men check their watches
frequently,
lest the sand run out unnoticed
onto the table by the water glass.
.
Their hands flutter
over the fork and spoon again, the knife,
as if the knife were a lost opportunity
or a love that might be set to rights.
.
Attentive as they are to these
small handles,
I suspect if they let go
.
they'll belly up with loneliness
and float off toward the ceiling fans
in all these small cafes
.
where I sit watching, hours on end,
to learn their little order,
eating alone.

28 comments:

  1. Nighthawks is arguably one of the greatest American paintings. Empty doors, windows and streets, stark neon light, four people mostly disengaged ... Hopper seemed to convey the isolation of city life - the impersonal balanced against the basic need of of food and drink.

    Three customers lost in thought ...

    The counter boy perhaps is about to ask a question but the intention is vague and there's no indicator he will get a response.

    Hopper's wife, Josephine, was his model for his paintings. It is said she didn't trust him to work with other women. If that true, it adds texture to the man and woman - together but not - sort of an aloofness.

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  2. Whenever I see someone alone in a restaurant I often wonder, Is it by choice or do they have no one to eat with? I love solitude and to have my alone time but eating alone is something I've never enjoyed...I guess I love conversation over meals so much that I miss something when no one is there to speak with.

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  3. Now that my friend is a great poem. Its theme may be used very soon to create more word magic. I fear that I spend too much time arranging my silverware and could be more productive if it were iron. I am at this early stage of fall keenly aware of the thoughts of this poet. Thanks, Pappy

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  4. I LOVE Nighthawks ... love love love it .. its one of those paintings that I could sit in front of and create backstories for all the people in it AND have ...

    :-Daryl

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  5. Bill, that's interesting about his wife, Josephine, was his model. I think Thomas Hart Benton also used his wife for many of his works.

    Rebecca, I often wonder the same thing. I don't mind doing just about anything alone, except for eating out.

    Pappy, glad you were inspired...I'll be looking forward to new word magic from you in the near future. I think all of us in this early stage of fall are thinking about life in a different light.

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  6. That poem is so sad, melancholy if you will. The observer is just as alone as the old men he watches but he never makes a move to speak or break the spell of loneliness...I wonder why.

    Nighthawks is a fantastic piece of art. There is so much captured in it.

    I guess both poem and painting depict the fact that even in the prescience of people we are still alone, each man an island to himself.

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  7. Stevie, yes, it is interesting that both the observer and the old men he watches are eating alone. Understudy is a perfect title.

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  8. Willow...I love this Hopper painting....and the poem....I see this sort of thing often in restaurants around here. Florida is big retirement community..lots of widow and widowers. Sad to see an old gentleman eating alone and it's true what the poet writes. This is a great poem Willow...

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  9. Well, I came for another art lesson and wasn't disappointed! The Hopper painting is wonderful! I like this style very much. The poem is perfect for it!

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  10. Daryl, I would absolutely love to read one of your stories inspired by Nighthawks. You should post it!

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  11. Counterpoint: It is not necessarily a sad thing to eat alone. It doesn't mean conversation is missing from someone's life - nor does it mean anything more than just eating.

    I cannot speak for women but I know that meals offer time for planning things, reflection, watching TV, reading a magazine or simply eating quickly and getting on to other things.

    Eating alone is not that big a deal.

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  12. Willow, Hopper painted two other works that evoke the same qualities, although not as dark: Automat (1927) and Chop Suey (1929). Funny thing, Hopper, Norman Rockwell and Thomas Hart Benton are often mentioned when discussing New York realists.

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  13. Bill, I eat alone quite a bit of the time. And I don't mind it at home, or grabbing a sandwich in the drive-through, because like you, I just eat and get on with things. But I think it's an entirely different scenario going to a nice restaurant and having a meal alone. I'm sure I could get used to it, but it's because I usually go out to eat with others and associate eating out with friendly and interesting conversation...along with a scrumptious meal, of course. ;)

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  14. Such a lovely poem. I never know where to look when I eat alone. So, I usually bring along a book. Or a notebook and pencil, just like JK Rowling writing in her cafe! I wish.

    I too, love Nighthawks. One can almost hear the quiet.

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  15. David, I love "Automat", too. There is a lovely orderly and tranquil aura about it.

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  16. Pamela, precisely! A book to read or notebook for making notes. Just to have something to keep me company. It's ackward to sit there and stare about.

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  17. Oh, I meant to tell you that I've now received two of your book recommendations in the mail! Assending Peculiarity and The World of Elizabeth I. Can't wait to delve into these! You are increasing my book budget somewhat, you know! But, thanks!

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  18. Pamela, you will really enjoy both of those books! I have a collection of Gorey illustrated books and it was interesting to read up on him. And the Elizabeth I book is a treasure trove of history and photos. Hope you enjoy them!

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  19. I always loved the perspective of that painting and where Hopper makes us the observers from a distance...and your poem, which I LOVE, incidentally, is so appropriate as its companion here.

    I actually eat alone in restaurants very often when I'm on the road, but I also do bring a sketchbook with me and for that reason, I sort of enjoy it. But, given the choice I'd rather have good conversation with others!

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  20. Oh I do love this painting! What a treat it was a few years ago to see it in person at the Art Institute!

    The poem compliments it nicely.

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  21. Great poem! Thanks for posting it. I would just as soon be sent to jail than to eat alone in a cafe.
    Yes, it's that bad. :)

    And I really like your header alot, Willow.

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  22. Drifter, that's good to know. At least it isn't just a "girl thing" not to enjoy eating out alone!! :)

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  23. Aah yes I often wonder about this painting. The poem is so sad. I enjoy solitude but not eating out in a restaurant. That just spells lonely which is completely different to solitary.

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  24. Well I guess I am one of the few people who actually enjoy eating alone in a restaurant. I love companionship, but I feel quite at ease being alone.

    I don't usually take a book or other distractions because I am fascinated by watching others and figuring out their tale in life. Although, judging from what has been said here, they are thinking my tale is a lonely one... quite the opposite!

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  25. Suza, if I had always dined alone in restaurants, it would be routine, but it would be a little daunting to start now.

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  26. I came back for more recipes, but saw this. I love Hopper and saw the Homer/Hopper show at the Art Institute this past spring. One room was just filled with his classics. I walked in and gasped. It was like seeing the finale at the fireworks show... one beauty after another.

    They had changed the frame on Nighthawks though and the newer one did not do it justice.

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  27. Jennifer, I am SO envious! I would have absolutely loved to have seen that exhibit! Wow.

    Thanks for stopping by! I'll pop over to your place...

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)