This living hand, now warm and capable Of earnest…
“This living hand, now warm and capable Of earnest grasping, would, if it were cold And in the icy silence of the tomb, So haunt thy days and chill thy dreaming nights That thou would wish thine own heart dry of blood, So in my veins red life might stream again, And thou be conscience-calm'd. See, here it is-- I hold it towards you.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker offers a lifeless hand to the listener, hoping its coldness will bring peace and a fresh start, while his own blood flows anew.
In simple terms: Offering a dead hand for peace, while his life continues.
Key Takeaway
Consider sacrifice for another's calm.
Themes
sacrifice
life
death
compassion
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Grief counseling
- medical ethics
- personal loss
- spiritual healing
- artistic expression
Key Concepts
Mortality
alchemy
empathy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the hand symbolize for you?
- How can you give peace without losing yourself?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may be too abstract for practical application.