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General Introduction
In "Recalling Helen Herself," Lionel Abrahams reflects on the life and transformation of a woman named Helen, who appears to have lived a life of modesty and selflessness, eventually emerging as a poet of significant insight and power. Through this poem, Abrahams pays tribute to Helen's journey of self-discovery and the evolution of her identity, highlighting the themes of self-realization, personal growth, and the enduring impact of individual choices.
The Poem
Recalling Helen Herself by Lionel Abrahams
Expert at being herself, and hiding,
Helen cloaked her own identity,
clouding her questing reflections on Good,
on words and their workers, on God,
by clowning with cunningly vague disclaimers
of know-how and know-who.
Since death’s photography fixed her image
all soft blurring clears in sharpened focus.
Now completion of her women’s term exacts
emergence of a poet’s bright-winged potency.
I remember the student she was,
part time typist, older than average,
who secretly, as she told me, aspired
to be something like Father Huddleston
serving the townships, saving the world.
She settled then for rescuing me.
And later, when townships became the burning
issue for a queue of would-be saviours
and a decade’s conscientious poets’ them,
she had enclosed her wry, patient muse,
her typewriter and the largeness of her concern
within a domestic cocoon in a suburb of semis,
amusedly cherishing her husband and sons.
But now completion of her women’s term exacts
emergence of a poet’s bright-winged potency.
My hard pride of fact once bruised her memory.
I think she forgave, at any rate remained
a comfortably joking contributor and friend.
Self-deprecating whimsy could disguise
what’s in this poet’s lines: protective passion
for each singular soul in need of space,
a stoic private grasp of truth’s fine cutting edge,
and then a wisdom yet more difficult to hold:
Truth, containing more than some men choose to know,
can embrace considerate tenderness.
And now completion of her women’s term permits
emergence of a poet’s bright-winged potency.
Title
The title, "Recalling Helen Herself," sets the tone for a reflective and introspective poem that focuses on Helen's true essence and the process of remembering her as she truly was, without any masks or pretense.
Themes
1. Self-Realization: The poem explores Helen's journey of self-discovery, from a woman who once aspired to be like Father Huddleston, a figure known for serving the townships and saving the world, to someone who settled for a quieter life. However, in her later years, there is a sense of emergence as she embraces her poetic potential, symbolized by the "bright-winged potency" of a poet.
2. Identity and Transformation: Helen's life is characterized by transformations, from her early aspirations to her role as a wife and mother, and finally, to her emergence as a poet. This theme highlights the fluidity and complexity of identity, suggesting that one's true essence may not always be immediately apparent.
3. Sacrifice and Fulfillment: Helen's decision to settle for a domestic life, putting aside her aspirations for a more impactful role like Father Huddleston, can be seen as a sacrifice. However, the poem suggests that this sacrifice ultimately leads to a sense of fulfillment, as Helen's "women's term" culminates in the realization of her poetic potential.
4. Truth and Wisdom: The poem suggests that Helen's life was guided by a deep understanding of truth, both in its harsh realities and its capacity for tenderness. This theme underscores the idea that wisdom comes from embracing truth in all its forms.
5. Legacy and Memory: The poem itself is an act of remembering Helen and her life. It reflects on the impact she had on the speaker and suggests that her legacy lives on through her poetry and the memories of those who knew her.
Literary Devices
1. Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to describe Helen's transformation, such as "bright-winged potency" to symbolize her emerging poetic talent and "domestic cocoon" to depict her life as a wife and mother.
2. Metaphor: The poem employs metaphors, such as "clouding her questing reflections on Good" and "death’s photography fixed her image," to convey abstract ideas about Helen's life and transformation.
3. Alliteration: The use of alliteration, as in "clowning with cunningly vague disclaimers," adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes certain phrases.
4. Symbolism: The poem uses symbolism, such as the image of a "suburb of semis," to represent the mundane aspects of Helen's life that contrast with her inner aspirations and potential.
5. Irony: There is a sense of irony in Helen's life, as she initially aspires to grander roles but ultimately finds fulfillment in a seemingly ordinary life as a wife and mother.
6. Repetition: The repetition of the phrase "emergence of a poet’s bright-winged potency" emphasizes Helen's transformation and the culmination of her life's journey.
Language and Mood
The language in the poem is reflective and nostalgic, with a tone of admiration and respect for Helen's life and choices. The mood shifts from a sense of regret for what could have been to a celebration of Helen's eventual fulfillment and emergence as a poet. The language is rich in imagery and symbolism, conveying complex emotions and ideas with subtlety and depth.
Context
The poem appears to be a personal reflection by the speaker, possibly a friend or acquaintance of Helen, who looks back on her life with a mix of fondness and admiration. The context of the poem suggests that Helen lived a life of quiet dedication and selflessness, eventually finding her true calling as a poet. The poem can be seen as a tribute to Helen's resilience, wisdom, and the impact she had on those around her.
Conclusion
"Recalling Helen Herself" is a poignant reflection on the life and transformation of a woman named Helen, who emerges as a poet of significant insight and power. Through themes of self-realization, identity, sacrifice, truth, and legacy, the poem celebrates Helen's journey and underscores the enduring impact of individual choices. Abrahams' use of imagery, metaphor, and symbolism creates a rich and nuanced portrait of Helen, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of life, identity, and fulfillment.
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