Helena

Joan Manuel Serrat's song 'Helena' is a poignant exploration of longing, melancholy, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who spends his days in a state of waiting, losing track of time and purpose. He is depicted as standing on a balcony, engaging in idle conversations with a bird, and observing the cyclical nature of life through the falling and blooming of leaves. This imagery evokes a sense of stagnation and the repetitive, almost futile nature of his existence.

The protagonist's life is marked by a sense of emptiness and anticipation. He works for nothing, lives with nothing, and expects nothing, except for the return of Helena. The repetition of the word 'espero' (I wait) underscores his endless waiting and the hope that Helena will come back. This waiting is not just for Helena but also for significant moments like Christmas or the feast of Magdalena, highlighting how his life is punctuated by these moments of hope and expectation.

Helena herself is portrayed as a transformative figure. Her presence brings warmth, beauty, and life to the protagonist's world. The description of how even the geraniums wink at her and how the air becomes warm with her breath illustrates her almost magical influence. Helena's impact is profound; she embodies love, sorrow, and joy, and her absence leaves a void that the protagonist cannot fill. The song concludes with a return to the protagonist's reality, where physical pain and the departure of the last bird symbolize the end of his hope and the harshness of his solitary existence.