A Conceit

A Conceit - meaning Summary

Touch as Mutual Guidance

Short, direct poem in which the speaker asks for a human hand and presence rather than abstract poetic intensity. The speaker urges the addressee to lead and follow together, seeking mutual guidance and physical contact beyond the isolating frenzy of poetic expression. The poem distinguishes between those who prefer private, word-based mourning or romanticized loss and the speaker’s simpler desire for touch. Its repeated imperatives create a pleading, immediate voice that prioritizes lived connection over verbalized sentiment.