Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Lunch at Helen Frankenthaler’s" by Barbara Guest is a surreal and evocative poem that seamlessly blends dream imagery with references to the painter Helen Frankenthaler and her abstract work. The poem explores themes of memory, art, and the ethereal nature of human connections.

The poem begins with the speaker waking up and questioning their dream: "I wake up / what was I dreaming about? / 'Mountains & Sea' a cloud / a hand over the cloud." This reference to Frankenthaler's famous painting, "Mountains and Sea," sets the stage for the intertwining of art and dreamscapes. The image of a hand over the cloud suggests an intervention or manipulation, indicative of the artist's creative process.

Guest then introduces a historical and cultural element by asking, "Is it China / that arranges itself thus? / Early China / before envelopes?" These lines evoke a sense of ancient artistry and the meticulous arrangement of elements, paralleling Frankenthaler's abstract compositions. The mention of "before envelopes" hints at a time before formalities and structures, emphasizing the raw, unfiltered nature of artistic creation.

The poem shifts to a more narrative tone as the speaker describes a figure in the landscape: "There is a figure in the landscape / no not at all the sea / on which an old man embarks in a canoe." This image conjures a scene of serene adventure and exploration. However, the speaker quickly corrects themselves, revealing it is not a man but a woman in the boat: "It isn’t a man in that boat the kimono / is wrapped, how does one say it is a woman! / It’s Helen!" This moment of realization transforms the dream into a more personal and intimate interaction with Frankenthaler herself.

Guest portrays Frankenthaler with reverence and admiration: "her face with its arbor of thunder / and laurel starts to drift over the mountain." The "arbor of thunder and laurel" combines elements of power and victory, symbolizing Frankenthaler's significant impact on the art world. The drifting face suggests a merging of the artist with the natural landscape, highlighting the seamless integration of her identity with her artistic environment.

The poem then transitions to the titular lunch, a moment of connection and recollection: "Helen! / we’re having lunch! / Return / in your snow boots, / here’s the thermos / I’ve poured out so many words, and the sandwiches / prepared with watercress." The casual and familiar tone of this invitation contrasts with the surreal imagery preceding it, grounding the poem in a moment of human interaction. The mention of snow boots and thermos adds a touch of domesticity, while the sandwiches with watercress suggest a refined simplicity.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of memory and shared experiences with phrases like "Blissful / sentences begin with 'Do you remember . . .' / and 'After August,' and 'I saw you in a red cloak.'" These lines underscore the joy of reminiscing and the significance of past moments in shaping the present. The specific memory of seeing Helen in a red cloak adds a vivid and personal touch, highlighting the lasting impact of visual memories.

The poem concludes with a plea for Helen not to abandon this moment: "Helen! / don’t jump into that pillar of statues! / without you there is no lunch." The "pillar of statues" symbolizes permanence and immortality, suggesting that Helen's artistic legacy is already secure. However, the speaker's urgent request for her to stay and share lunch emphasizes the value of human presence and interaction over abstract concepts of legacy.

In "Lunch at Helen Frankenthaler’s," Barbara Guest masterfully blends dreamlike imagery with tangible moments of connection, creating a rich and layered meditation on art, memory, and the human desire for closeness. The poem celebrates Frankenthaler's artistic spirit while also highlighting the importance of personal interactions and shared experiences in enriching our lives.

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