Though Nora had inspired his Ulysses,
Jim’s daughter Lucia threatened her mother’s role
When she his deep dejection seemed to ease
And he her fitful mental state console.
Old Jung believed her father was its source:
A “latent schizoid”, saved by ingenious art,
Whose anima projections in due course
Made her his soul mate, him her sacred heart.
For Finnegans Wake she was in part his muse
And, through it, faith her anguished hero found:
His Anna’s constant and devoid of ruse;
Kindness and integrity in her abound.
James hoped this heroine would Lucia heal
By showing Nora, not Molly, was his ideal.
Jerusalem
22 July 2022