Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Boris Leonidovich Pasternak's poem "Do Not Touch," the emotional and psychological complexities of love and memory are explored within the framework of vivid imagery and metaphor. The opening line, "I should have seen the sign: 'Fresh paint,'" immediately presents a caveat-an ignored warning-that sets the stage for the poem. This line could be understood as a metaphorical caution against rushing into emotional entanglements without foreseeing the enduring marks they leave.

The poet's "memory's stained / With cheeks, calves, hands, lips, eyes." Here, memory is not just a mental imprint but an almost tactile experience, like paint that stains. It's interesting that the poet chooses body parts that are commonly associated with physical attraction. This selection reinforces the notion that the 'stain' is not merely emotional but also physical; it taints multiple facets of the poet's being.

One of the central themes is the transformative power of love. "More than all failure, all success, / I loved you, for your skill / In whitening the yellowed world / As white cosmetics will." Love is described as a force that can "whiten" a "yellowed world," a world that has perhaps been tainted by time, experience, or even decay. The comparison of love to "white cosmetics" offers an intriguing juxtaposition; cosmetics bring only a superficial change, whereas the love described here seems to provide a deeper, more transformative whitening. This metaphor perhaps expresses a paradox about love: it beautifies and transforms, yet those changes might be only skin-deep, possibly temporary.

The poem culminates in a near prophetic assertion, "Listen, my dark, my friend: by God, / All will grow white somehow, / Whiter than madness or lamp shades / Or bandage on a brow." This suggests a transcendence, an eventual purification of all things, whether they be "madness" or mundane objects like "lamp shades." The mention of a "bandage on a brow" adds an element of healing or protection, emphasizing that the "whiteness" could also symbolize a form of redemption or purification.

This concluding stanza enlarges the scope from the personal to the universal, introducing an eschatological note. Here, 'whiteness' is taken beyond love or cosmetics to a cosmic level, implying that regardless of life's stains-be they failures, successes, or loves-all will eventually be subsumed by a transcendent 'whiteness.'

Pasternak employs concise but rich imagery to encapsulate a range of human experiences and emotions. "Do Not Touch" is a poignant illustration of how love, memory, and time intertwine to 'stain' our existence in ways that are both cautionary and redemptive. Despite its brevity, the poem provides a multifaceted look into human vulnerability, the ephemerality of emotions, and the eternal hope for purity and transformation. It invites the reader to reflect upon their own 'stains,' their own ignored signs, and their own transformative experiences, be they cautionary, purifying, or both.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...