Helen Dunmore Poetry

Helen Dunmore was a British poet who is also remembered for her short stories, children’s books, and novels. She won the National Poetry Competition award in 2010 for The Malarky. She has published novels including Mourning Ruby, The Betrayal, and A Spell of Winter.

Biography Quotes

Poem Explorer Poetry Archives

PDF Guide

Nationality:

Themes:

Emotions:

Topics:

Form:

"> 81/100

To My Nine-Year-Old Self

‘To My Nine-Year-Old Self’ addresses the poet’s younger self, exploring changes over time, contrasting past fearlessness with present cautiousness.

‘To My Nine-Year-Old Self’ is a good example of Helen Dunmore’s poetic works. It is typical of her focus on such ideas as memory, loss, and the inexorable march of time. Dunmore is also inclined to describe the richness of human life with passion and sentimentality accompanied by profound philosophical insight and metaphorical language. The themes of the poem—loss of innocence, the duality of childishness, and the resulting adulthood, a rather subdued sadness—are characteristic of her writing.

You must forgive me. Don't look so surprised,

perplexed , and eager to be gone

balancing on your hands or on the tightrope

Home » Poets » Helen Dunmore Poems

General

Poetry+

Discover

Useful Links