Im getting a late start on this blogging because i wasn't sure on how to even do this stuff. I chose to do the Night Waitress because iv been serving my self for 2 years now. I know at times serving can be very frustrating and break your self esteem down. In this poem it seems as if the waitress has lost her self esteem. Example, Line 3 and 4. "I'm telling myself my face has character, not beauty."
Then the poem goes on by telling us that as she lays out the plates and cups that the guys all look at her as if they'd never had mothers. I believe this means the men aren't paying her no mind or attention. This waitress is just having a tough time in life right now. She goes on by telling us that there is a guy leaning on the jukebox every night playing music and says " I would not stop him if he touched me," so not only does she have a low self esteem shes lonely and has no sex life. Im not sure in this poem if there is some sort of religous view since the waitress said in the poem "on his forehead a tattoed cross furrows." Then when shes talking about the cups and silver that she would get, that could be something like communion?
After cleaning up and closing she mentioned all the men were running to the factories, but yet she was so tired and ready for bed that she didn't even bother looking at them. I know im tired after working in a restaurant but if there is a crowd full of girls running im gona look and if shes that depressed and wanting someone bad enough she would have looked and you just never know one of the men could have noticed her and waved her over?? I don't know?
Dave,
ReplyDeleteWhat I hear in your post is a common experience with this waitress. You know how tired you get after a long night at work. But I'm guessing (from the description) that this woman is quite a bit older than you, and that in fact, she has no energy for anything besides work (not even flirting) Your analysis of her from the poem suggests all this. The religious references could be relevant, if there's a repeated pattern. I see the cross you point out, but I'm not sure the cups and plates raise to the level of Communion vessels. No matter. Every poem doesn't have to have symbolism. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!