26th July is Savvy Auntie's Day, which is a day for remembering aunts, great aunts and godmothers everywhere. This is my tribute to a woman who was an adopted aunt of mine. The photo shows her as a 15 year old, racing around Brooklands in a successful record-breaking attempt.
The Adopted Aunt
A dear, old friend of the father,
this adopted Aunty Thelma,
a motorcyling passion combining
and open directness,
dryness of wit and
keen sharpness of mind
subtly enticing.
The surname Archer,
synonymous with motorbikes
in long-lost 1930s England,
inseparable from her sisterly twin,
both perfectly at home on those
roaring two-wheeled machines,
clad in helmet and leathers,
racing round Brooklands
at incredible speed,
models of skill
and consummate ease -
the world record broken,
an awesome feat and
wasn't it a breeze?
Yet she and her sister
still so young and innocent,
world record holders,
though not yet sixteen,
everyone safe, thank God!
And the bikes? Not a dent!
Flouting conventions
and blazing a trail
for the women of tomorrow
to follow and pave -
like beacons shining their lights
to those who are still far away,
yet rolling ever nearer
in wave after wave.
Yet when day turns to night,
this beacon called Thelma
discards the leathers,
the grease and the grime
and in graceful dress of mirrored silk,
moving with curved elegance
to the music of brass and string,
she turns men's heads,
making their hearts gleefully sing.
One she then finds and
married life starts,
house and work,
exercise and travel,
nieces and nephews,
godchildren galore
filling the seconds
and minutes of her days...
Among them two girls,
honorary nieces of
this old friend called Nick,
showered unfailingly
every birthday and Christmas
with cards of delight
and presents of wonder...
Into adulthood and beyond,
for almost half a century,
though bodily ills dissipate
energy and activity,
no birthday or Christmas is forgot.
No blood aunt could have shown
more love or compassion,
greater thoughtfulness or kindness
or heart steadier, more generous.
No relative could have given
greater cheerfulness or warmth
on visits to that cottage of ancient charm,
nestling in Hampshire countryside
of verdant green,
nourishing the soul with beauty,
peace and calm.
Time has now had its final say,
yet memories of a woman
tall and fashionable,
with happiness of heart
and lightness of smile,
of unceasing strength and dignity
as the lengthening years took their toll,
will most surely gladden the heart
in the days that are to come,
filling it with gratitude and thanks
for a wonderful soul,
freed now from physical bonds
and enriching eternity
with its infinite grace
and endless, glowing charity.
Thank you, Aunty Thelma,
for thinking of us so kindly
through all the many, many years,
for touching our hearts
with zest and joy...
You are family, indeed,
the love in our hearts tells us so,
and we will never forget you,
as witnessed by our smiling tears.
Copyright © Helena Harper
This poem forms part of my memoir in verse Family and More - Enemies or Friends? I am so pleased that part of the poem is now on display at Brooklands Museum in the UK (in the Ladies' Reading Room). It is a fitting tribute, I think, to my aunt and her remarkable feat.
