“Still Life”
When she left me
after lunch, I read
for a while.
But I suddenly wanted
to look again
and I saw the half-eaten
sandwich,
bread,
lettuce and salami,
all carrying the shape
of her bite
In Summary on “Still Life”
“Still Life” by A.K. Ramanujan captures a moment of quiet reflection and longing after a loved one has departed. Here’s a brief analysis of the poem:
The poem begins with the speaker describing the aftermath of a lunch shared with someone significant. When the person leaves, the speaker engages in solitary activities like reading. However, there’s a sudden urge to revisit the scene, to capture the essence of the departed individual’s presence once more.
Upon closer examination, the speaker notices the remnants of the meal: a half-eaten sandwich comprising bread, lettuce, and salami. These ordinary objects take on new significance as they bear the imprint of the loved one’s bite. This simple act of consumption becomes a poignant reminder of their shared experience and presence.
The title, “Still Life,” evokes the genre of painting that depicts inanimate objects, often food and everyday items, arranged in a static composition. In this context, the poem transforms the mundane act of eating into a moment frozen in time, a “still life” that captures the intimacy and connection between two people.
Overall, “Still Life” explores themes of absence, memory, and the transient nature of human relationships. Through the lens of a half-eaten sandwich, Ramanujan invites readers to contemplate the bittersweet beauty of fleeting moments and the lingering traces they leave behind.
