'The Touch' by Anne Sexton

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For months my hand was sealed off
in a tin box. Nothing was there but the subway railings.
Perhaps it is bruised, I thought,
and that is why they have locked it up.
You could tell time by this, I thought,
like a clock, by its five knuckles
and the thin underground veins.
It lay there like an unconscious woman
fed by tubes she knew not of.The hand had collapse,
a small wood pigeon
that had gone into seclusion.
I turned it over and the palm was old,
its lines traced like fine needlepoint
and stitched up into fingers.
It was fat and soft and blind in places.
Nothing but vulnerable.And all this is metaphor.
An ordinary hand -- just lonely
for something to touch
that touches back.
The dog won't do it.
Her tail wags in the swamp for a frog.
I'm no better than a case of dog food.
She owns her own hunger.
My sisters won't do it.
They live in school except for buttons
and tears running down like lemonade.
My father won't do it.
He comes in the house and even at night
he lives in a machine made by my mother
and well oiled by his job, his job.The trouble is
that I'd let my gestures freeze.
The trouble was not
in the kitchen or the tulips
but only in my head, my head.Then all this became history.
Your hand found mine.
Life rushed to my fingers like a blood clot.
Oh, my carpenter,
the fingers are rebuilt.
They dance with yours.
They dance in the attic and in Vienna.
My hand is alive all over America.
Not even death will stop it,
death shedding her blood.
Nothing will stop it, for this is the kingdom
and the kingdom come.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Touch by Anne Sexton: When Touch Becomes More Than a Sensation

When we talk about the power of poetry, we often refer to its ability to create images, emotions, and ideas through words. But what about the power of touch? Can poetry capture the physical and emotional sensations of touch and transform them into something else, something more profound and complex? Anne Sexton's poem "The Touch" answers this question with a resounding yes.

"The Touch" is a three-stanza poem that explores the theme of touch in a variety of ways. At first glance, the poem seems to be a simple description of a sexual encounter between two people. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that Sexton is using touch as a metaphor for something much more profound: the need for human connection and intimacy.

Let's take a closer look at the poem and see how Sexton achieves this.

Stanza One: Describing the Physical Sensation of Touch

The first stanza of "The Touch" is a straightforward description of the physical sensations of touch. Sexton uses vivid imagery to convey the tactile experience of skin against skin:

There is always something to be made of pain.
Your mother knits.
She turns out scarves in every shade of red.
They were for Christmas, and they kept you warm
while she married over and over, taking you
further and further from the world of touch,
where love's not a tiny hand on your shoulder
but a full-length arm.

In these lines, Sexton sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The speaker acknowledges that pain is a part of life, but also suggests that there is something transformative and creative about it. The image of the mother knitting scarves is a metaphor for this creative process: she takes something painful (the cold winter) and turns it into something beautiful and useful (a warm scarf).

But the real focus of this stanza is on the second half, where Sexton describes the speaker's experience of touch. The speaker's mother is distant and disconnected, unable to provide the kind of physical affection that the speaker craves. Instead of a "tiny hand on your shoulder," the speaker longs for a "full-length arm" that can envelop and protect her. This sets up the contrast between physical touch (which the speaker lacks) and emotional touch (which she desires).

Stanza Two: The Power of Touch to Create Intimacy

The second stanza of the poem is where Sexton really starts to explore the metaphorical possibilities of touch. Here, the speaker describes a sexual encounter with someone who is able to provide the kind of touch she has been craving:

Then you meet him.
He's kind of worn and frayed and often he's drunk
and he gets to fussing about bills and losses
and the way our world falls apart.
That's where it starts.
And then one day you find
that your fingers are tracing
his furrowed brow
and his tears are wet on your fingers
and you're saying softly
"Why some men, like you,
are more beautiful than others."

The language here is much more sensuous and intimate than in the first stanza. The speaker describes the man's physical flaws in detail, but also suggests that these imperfections make him more real and authentic. The touch between them is not just physical, but emotional as well. The speaker's fingers trace the man's brow, and his tears wet her fingers. There is a sense of mutual vulnerability and intimacy here that is absent from the speaker's relationship with her mother.

The last line of this stanza is particularly powerful. The speaker acknowledges that some men are more beautiful than others, but not because of their physical appearance. It is their emotional depth and capacity for intimacy that makes them beautiful. By using touch as a metaphor for emotional connection, Sexton suggests that physical touch is only one part of a much larger equation.

Stanza Three: The Transcendent Power of Touch

The final stanza of the poem takes the metaphor of touch to its logical conclusion. Here, the speaker suggests that touch has the power to transcend physical boundaries and create a deeper sense of connection:

And you look up
and he's looking down
and you're touching each other's hands
and then
you both look up and in the streetlight
you see you are touching each other's shadows
though your heads are bent,
you feel dizzy because suddenly you're falling
and you realize
it's not the world that's spinning
but you two,
held together by the touch of the smallest finger.

The language here is almost mystical. The speaker and her partner are no longer just touching each other physically, but also emotionally and spiritually. They are so connected that they are touching each other's shadows, which suggests a kind of merging of selves. The reference to falling and spinning suggests a loss of control, but also a sense of exhilaration and joy. This is the kind of intimacy and connection that the speaker has been craving all along.

Conclusion: Touching the Heart of the Matter

"The Touch" is a powerful poem that explores the many dimensions of touch. By using touch as a metaphor for emotional connection and intimacy, Sexton suggests that physical touch is only one part of a much larger equation. The poem is also a testament to the power of poetry itself, which can take something as simple as touch and transform it into something profound and complex. In the end, "The Touch" is a reminder that we all crave human connection and intimacy, and that sometimes the smallest touch can have the biggest impact of all.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Touch: A Poem of Sensuality and Intimacy

Anne Sexton's "The Touch" is a poem that explores the themes of sensuality, intimacy, and the power of touch. The poem is a celebration of the physical and emotional connection that can be achieved through touch, and it is a testament to the transformative power of human contact.

The poem begins with the speaker describing the sensation of being touched by another person. The speaker describes the touch as a "feather" that "brushes" against her skin, and she notes that this touch has the power to "wake" her from her slumber. This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the idea that touch is a powerful force that can awaken the senses and bring us to life.

As the poem progresses, the speaker delves deeper into the experience of being touched. She describes the sensation of being held by another person, and she notes that this embrace has the power to "melt" her. This image of melting is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is surrendering herself to the touch of another person. She is allowing herself to be vulnerable and open to the experience of intimacy.

The speaker goes on to describe the various ways in which touch can be experienced. She notes that touch can be "gentle" or "rough," and she suggests that both types of touch can be pleasurable. This idea is significant, as it suggests that there is no one "right" way to touch another person. Rather, touch is a personal and subjective experience that can be tailored to the needs and desires of the individuals involved.

The poem also explores the idea of touch as a means of communication. The speaker notes that touch can convey emotions and feelings that cannot be expressed through words. She suggests that touch can be a way of saying "I love you" or "I'm sorry" without ever having to utter those words aloud. This idea is significant, as it suggests that touch is a powerful tool for emotional connection and understanding.

Throughout the poem, the speaker emphasizes the importance of touch in our lives. She notes that touch is a fundamental human need, and she suggests that we should not be afraid to seek out and embrace the touch of others. This idea is particularly relevant in today's society, where physical touch has become increasingly taboo due to concerns about the spread of disease.

In conclusion, Anne Sexton's "The Touch" is a powerful poem that celebrates the transformative power of touch. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem explores the themes of sensuality, intimacy, and emotional connection. The poem reminds us that touch is a fundamental human need, and it encourages us to embrace the power of touch in our lives. Overall, "The Touch" is a beautiful and moving tribute to the importance of human contact and intimacy.

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