The speaker speaks directly to the grass, begging its “little cool grass fingers” to brush against her face, arms, thighs, and feet. There is a deep loneliness here: she longs for any gentle, kind contact, and turns to the grass as if it might offer what people have not. The repetition of “touch me” makes the request feel urgent and vulnerable. The grass is shy and delicate, but she reassures it: “You need not fear me.” The final lines shift into melancholy, even resignation. She says that soon she will be too far beneath the ground for the grass to reach her at all. That line suggests she is anticipating death, or at least imagining herself buried, and it gives the poem a quiet sadness. The overall mood is tender, sensual, and sorrowful — a lonely speaker reaching out for softness before it is too late.
Grass Fingers — Summary
Touch me, touch me, Little cool grass fingers, Elusive, delicate grass fingers. With your shy brushings, Touch my face-- My naked arms-- My thighs-- My feet. Is there nothing that is kind? You need not fear me. Soon I shall be too far beneath you, For you to reach me, even, With your tiny, timorous toes.