Notes by Roxanne Willemse
A poem written by an innocent prisoner: Touch by Hugh Lewin
Background
Poet was a Freedom Fighter against Apartheid government
Structure
Free verse – stream of consciousness, follows natural speech patterns, allows poet to focus
on emotion, increases connection with reader
Imagery
Imprisonment - invasion of personal space
Intention
To discuss how incarceration affects prisoners
o Expression of his traumatic experiences in prison to offer readers a first-hand
perspective
o He is asking for human contact. He is not isolating/withdrawing himself. He is
making a tender appeal to be touched. He expresses that touch is linked to his sense
of feeling alive. He links kind, compassionate touch with being alive and free.
Plea for affection and compassion
Themes
Psychological impact of incarceration on prisoners (harassment)
o When a prisoner spends a long time in prison, they lose their humanity due to
negative, dehumanizing interactions
Need for intimacy and human connection
Tone
Dignified – he is not pleading or begging
o He asks politely but there is a poignancy and vulnerability in his request
Sounds
Alliteration of plosive ‘p’ sound
Line by line analysis
Lines 1-9 (Stanza 1)
‘when I get out’ – suggests he is currently imprisoned/incarcerated
‘someone’ – anyone/no one in particular, desperation
‘touch me very gently please’ – previously he has been exposed to harshness/abuse. ‘very’
emphasises the degree of gentleness required, ‘please’ adds intensity to the plea
He wants to be touched gently because he has suffered the brutality of prison life where
there is no affection or compassion. He longs to be free, because when he is free he will be
able to show affection and have affection shown to him
Repetition of plea for touch – emphasises how badly he is searching/hoping for kindness and
compassion
A poem written by an innocent prisoner: Touch by Hugh Lewin
Background
Poet was a Freedom Fighter against Apartheid government
Structure
Free verse – stream of consciousness, follows natural speech patterns, allows poet to focus
on emotion, increases connection with reader
Imagery
Imprisonment - invasion of personal space
Intention
To discuss how incarceration affects prisoners
o Expression of his traumatic experiences in prison to offer readers a first-hand
perspective
o He is asking for human contact. He is not isolating/withdrawing himself. He is
making a tender appeal to be touched. He expresses that touch is linked to his sense
of feeling alive. He links kind, compassionate touch with being alive and free.
Plea for affection and compassion
Themes
Psychological impact of incarceration on prisoners (harassment)
o When a prisoner spends a long time in prison, they lose their humanity due to
negative, dehumanizing interactions
Need for intimacy and human connection
Tone
Dignified – he is not pleading or begging
o He asks politely but there is a poignancy and vulnerability in his request
Sounds
Alliteration of plosive ‘p’ sound
Line by line analysis
Lines 1-9 (Stanza 1)
‘when I get out’ – suggests he is currently imprisoned/incarcerated
‘someone’ – anyone/no one in particular, desperation
‘touch me very gently please’ – previously he has been exposed to harshness/abuse. ‘very’
emphasises the degree of gentleness required, ‘please’ adds intensity to the plea
He wants to be touched gently because he has suffered the brutality of prison life where
there is no affection or compassion. He longs to be free, because when he is free he will be
able to show affection and have affection shown to him
Repetition of plea for touch – emphasises how badly he is searching/hoping for kindness and
compassion
