The End of Poetry Summary

"The End of Poetry" does not have a linear narrative but instead follows a free-association stream of images. The speaker starts by saying "enough" to a list of images of the natural world, then moves into language associated with religion and patriotism. She says "enough" to several descriptions of human routine, perhaps related to prayer, and "enough" to the death of a friend and the feeling of separation. She says "enough" and mentions parent-child relationships, being weary of the world, and borders. She dismisses the common questions asked as people troubleshoot video calls, and then includes several emotions of distress, loneliness, and sorrow. Having said "enough" to everything listed in the poem, all these images of poetic cliché and human suffering, the speaker ends abruptly with a direct plea for human contact: "I am asking you to touch me."