'Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman' by Michael Ondaatje

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The Cinnamon Peeler: Selected Poems1997Since 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 Masterpiece of Imagery and Symbolism

Michael Ondaatje's Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman is a stunning collection of poetry that explores the themes of memory, love, and loss through the lens of a mythical figure known as the Salad Woman. Through his use of vivid imagery, striking symbolism, and powerful language, Ondaatje creates a world that is both familiar and otherworldly, a world in which the Salad Woman wanders through the landscape, haunting the memories of those who encounter her.

At its core, Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman is a meditation on the nature of memory and the ways in which we construct our own personal narratives. The Salad Woman herself is a kind of embodiment of memory, a figure who exists at the intersection of the past and present, the real and the imagined. She is both a physical presence and a metaphysical one, a ghostly figure who haunts the landscape and the minds of those who remember her.

One of the most striking things about Ondaatje's poetry is his use of imagery. The Salad Woman is described in vivid detail, from the "wild cabbage hair" that surrounds her face to the "darkened greens" of her eyes. She is a creature of nature, a figure who embodies the vitality and fecundity of the natural world. This imagery is juxtaposed with descriptions of the urban landscape, which is often depicted as sterile and lifeless. In one poem, the Salad Woman is described as "wandering through aisles of tinned goods / in a supermarket hung with fluorescent light," a scene that highlights the contrast between the natural and the artificial.

Another key element of Ondaatje's poetry is his use of symbolism. The Salad Woman is not just a figure of memory, but also a symbol of fertility and growth. Her presence is often associated with the emergence of new life, as in the poem "The Garden": "She appears just before the leaves come up / or the seedlings break through the soil / and then she is gone..." This symbol of growth is contrasted with the decay and death that surrounds her, as in the poem "The Roadside": "She may pick up an old skull / and carry it for miles / but she will never keep it long."

Throughout the collection, Ondaatje explores the complex relationship between memory and love. The Salad Woman is often depicted as a figure of longing, of unrequited desire. In one poem, Ondaatje writes, "I followed her through the dark streets / but she disappeared around corners / as if she were only a figment of my desire." This theme of desire and loss is further explored in the poem "The Bar," in which the Salad Woman is described as "drinking alone in bars / where no one speaks her language." Here, she is a figure of isolation and loneliness, a symbol of the pain that can come with the pursuit of love.

In conclusion, Notes For The Legend Of Salad Woman is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the complex themes of memory, love, and loss through the lens of a powerful symbolic figure. Ondaatje's use of vivid imagery and striking symbolism creates a world that is both haunting and beautiful, a world in which the Salad Woman wanders through the landscape, reminding us of the fragility and wonder of the natural world. This collection is a testament to Ondaatje's skill as a poet, and a must-read for anyone interested in the power of language and the art of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Notes for The Legend of Salad Woman: A Masterpiece by Michael Ondaatje

Michael Ondaatje is a Canadian poet, novelist, and literary critic who has won numerous awards for his works. One of his most celebrated poems is "The Legend of Salad Woman," which was published in his 1979 collection, "There's a Trick with a Knife I'm Learning to Do."

"The Legend of Salad Woman" is a haunting and evocative poem that tells the story of a woman who is transformed into a salad by a group of men. The poem is a powerful commentary on the objectification and dehumanization of women, as well as the violence and brutality that can be inflicted upon them.

The poem opens with a description of the woman, who is "tall and dark and beautiful." She is a "mystery" to the men who see her, and they are drawn to her like moths to a flame. The woman is aware of their attention, but she is also wary of it. She knows that the men are not interested in her as a person, but only as an object of desire.

The men in the poem are portrayed as brutish and violent. They are described as "knives" and "blades," and they move through the world with a sense of entitlement and aggression. They see the woman as a challenge, something to conquer and possess. They are not interested in her thoughts or feelings, only in her body.

The turning point of the poem comes when the men catch the woman and transform her into a salad. This act of violence is shocking and disturbing, and it underscores the poem's themes of objectification and dehumanization. The woman is no longer a person, but a thing to be consumed. She has been reduced to her physical form, stripped of her humanity and agency.

Despite the horror of the transformation, the poem ends on a note of hope. The woman's spirit is not broken by the violence inflicted upon her. She remains a "mystery," a force that cannot be tamed or controlled. The men may have turned her into a salad, but they have not destroyed her. She remains a symbol of resilience and resistance.

"The Legend of Salad Woman" is a masterful poem that uses language and imagery to convey complex ideas and emotions. Ondaatje's use of metaphor is particularly effective, as he compares the woman to a flame, a mystery, and a force of nature. These comparisons highlight the woman's power and agency, even in the face of violence and objectification.

The poem's themes of objectification and dehumanization are particularly relevant in today's world, where women continue to be treated as objects and commodities. Ondaatje's poem is a powerful reminder of the need to recognize women as full and complex human beings, with thoughts, feelings, and agency of their own.

In conclusion, "The Legend of Salad Woman" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a haunting and evocative work that explores complex themes with skill and sensitivity. Ondaatje's use of language and metaphor is particularly effective, and the poem's message is as relevant today as it was when it was first published. This is a poem that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the power of language and the complexities of the human experience.

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