“Memories, like the corners of your mind! Misty water colored memories of the way we were!” (Barbara Streisand) Just hearing the lyrics to the aforementioned song brings down the warm and fuzzy feelings! Reading “Loneliness” by Laura Cortes, allows the reader to reflect and ponder on what exactly is the old man really feeling? While the old man may be experiencing some loneliness, he reflects on the past fondly, but has great anticipation about what is about to happen next harvest.
“The cut apples, in boxes, are waiting for him.”(4) The line clearly lets you know that someone picked the apples and they are waiting on him to take care of them. Though the line before states that he’s surrounded by ghosts and memories, it doesn’t really state that he’s alone. The boxes were filled by someone, who is the question? Perhaps the present day staff working for the old man are not close to him like the staff were back in the day. “With forty hands helping and carrying, / with plenty and beautiful apples, / with the young and united family smiling,” (10 – 12) The writer leaves the assumption from the poem that the staff 40 years later are not as united and happy than forty years prior. The warm memories of the former fun times, allows him to reflect and reminisce of the good times.
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“Yet surrounded by memories and ghosts, / they are waiting for the next harvest with hope” (15 – 16) the memories coincide with the harvest! 40 years have come and gone but every harvest allows a sense of expectancy and excitement. The fruit of his labor is manifested every harvest