A Single Screw of Flesh
poem 263
A Single Screw of Flesh - meaning Summary
Soul Pinned by Earthly Love
This poem considers how a single human attachment—an intimate tie or "keepsake"—anchors the soul and defines its relation to the divine. The speaker observes a veil lifted and a name put away, suggesting a movement from mundane recognition into a private, eternal possession. Physical feeling and new sensitivity are presented as gifts or risks that enlarge love beyond human measure. In the final stanza mortal affection is claimed superior to remote divinities: the clay of embodied love refuses to relinquish what heaven might offer, valuing the tangible bond above celestial promise.
Read Complete AnalysesIs all that pins the Soul That stands for Deity, to Mine, Upon my side the Veil Once witnessed of the Gauze Its name is put away As far from mine, as if no plight Had printed yesterday, In tender solemn Alphabet, My eyes just turned to see, When it was smuggled by my sight Into Eternity More Hands to hold These are but Two One more new-mailed Nerve Just granted, for the Peril’s sake Some striding Giant Love So greater than the Gods can show, They slink before the Clay, That not for all their Heaven can boast Will let its Keepsake go
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