Could Mortal Lip Divine

Could Mortal Lip Divine - meaning Summary

The Burden of Expression

The speaker reflects on the limits and dangers of fully articulating inner meaning. A spoken syllable carries latent weight or significance that is only partly borne when left implicit. If a mortal lip were to attempt to divine and disclose that undeveloped freight completely, the expression itself would collapse under the burden. The poem suggests that some experiences or truths are too heavy for direct speech, and that restraint or partial disclosure preserves their integrity and prevents overwhelming breakdown.