Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Touch Me" is a poem by American poet Stanley Kunitz. It was first published in his 1985 collection "Next-to-Last Things: New Poems and Essays". Kunitz was a highly respected American poet who served as the Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress twice, and won several awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

Explanation:

"Touch Me" is a sensual and evocative poem that explores the themes of love and mortality. The speaker begins by addressing the natural world around him, and marveling at the beauty of a rose in bloom. He then turns his attention to the human world, and reflects on the power of physical touch to connect us to one another and to the larger universe.

As the poem progresses, the speaker acknowledges the inevitability of death, but finds comfort in the idea that even in death, we can be reunited with the larger forces of nature and the universe. The final lines of the poem express a sense of profound wonder and gratitude for the experience of life, and the connection between all living things.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: "Touch Me" is a free verse poem, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme or meter scheme.
• Imagery: The poem is full of vivid sensory images, such as "The tight / /unbudgeable bud" of the rose and the "fugitive / butterfly" fluttering through the garden.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and reverent, with moments of both joy and sadness.
• Metaphor: The rose in bloom is a metaphor for the beauty and fragility of life, while physical touch is a metaphor for the power of human connection.

Conclusion:

"Touch Me" is a beautifully crafted and deeply moving poem that explores some of the most profound aspects of the human experience, including love, mortality, and our connection to the natural world. Kunitz's use of vivid imagery and rich language creates a sense of wonder and reverence for the world around us, while his exploration of physical touch as a means of connection adds an element of intimacy and tenderness to the poem.

Poem Snippet:

"The tight

unbudgeable bud

poised on the edge

of unfurling,

torments us with its

reticence —

screwed tight,

balled up,

knotted wing,

tight-rope

walker

stubbornly

tethered to its

won't-be."

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...