Lydia and the Saga of Waiting

Sunil Sharma

“Nothing happens. Nobody comes, nobody goes. It's awful.”
― Samuel Beckett
 
“Let's go." "We can't." "Why not?" "We're waiting for Godot.”
― Samuel Beckett
 
She waits.
Outside the bank. Eyes keen, watchful. Robed in black. Superimposed on the bank with overgrown weeds.
Derelict!
She is the woman who is condemned by the malicious gods to wait...eternally, not giving up easily on a hopeless situation/s in life; waiting, willing the building with meshed windows to open up for the person standing outside, not moving for a minute; resolute, determined. She is the woman who does not know despair.

Pic by Robert Maddox-Harle

Here, she is the subject of the eminent Australian artist Robert Maddox-Harle’s stunning visual; a metaphor; a masterclass in visual narration by a philosopher-poet-artist from Lismore, NSW. 
It is appropriately titled: "Lydia waiting at the Bank that Never Opens".

It captures the sheer poetry of human resilience and power of optimism, something akin to the cult play Waiting for Godot. It is a tribute to the human spirit.
It is about transcendentalism.
The value of faith in dark times.
Refusal to give up, quit.
She, Lydia, reminds us of a Hemingway hero and his code.
This is an extraordinary shot by an extraordinary artist!
And, the theme of this month’s call for the special edition.
 
Talking of the idea behind this picture, Rob Harle says in an emailed message:
 
This surrealist double-exposure photograph shows an old bank building (at Coraki NSW) and my great grandmother in elegant attire waiting patiently for the bank to open. She was of an era when banks were guardians of peoples’ 
money and treated their customers with great respect. Now banks treat clients like ledger entries only, close branches permanently when it suits them, change the rules/rates with no regard for the clients wishes or needs. Banks are ONLY interested in profit. This image really comments on all contemporary corporations with no genuine concern for their clients’ needs, ironically without whom they would not exist!
 
It is a special moment also for the photographer Rob whose pictures, like poetry, enjoy immense respect and has earned him global fan following: Here, family history intersects with corporate history and produces, this intersection, a new reality, a sad commentary on the current banking scene where banks collapse and scams happen with regular frequency across the world, defrauding small investors of their life savings, practically wiping away lives in a single moment of despair, sans any relief.
It is art with social conscience, speaking on behalf of the voiceless folks.
Art to stir your soul and capture truth.

The special section features interesting responses to this call, in prose and poetry.
The regular edition comes packed with other enriching content. Serving you month after month.
Thanks to the writers and readers for the constant patronage to the bilingual journal that crossed 6-million-plus views.

Each month designed to give the best of the genres.
Please enjoy this month’s spread.

Take care!

Sunil Sharma,
Managing Editor, Setu (English)

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Setu, September 2025