'Skin Trade' by Reginald Shepherd

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Angel, Interrupted1996And then I said, That's what it means
to testify: to sit in the locked dark muttering
when you should be dead to the world. The muse
just shrugged and shaded his blue eyes. So naturally
I followed him down to his father's house
by the river, a converted factory in the old
industrial park: somewhere to sit
on threadbare cushions eating my words
and his promises, safe as milk
that dries the throat. If I had a home,
he'd be that unmade bed. He's my America
twisted in dirty sheets, my inspiration
for a sleepless night. No getting around that
white skin.He throws things out the window
he should keep; he collects things
he should feed to the river. He takes me
down. While there, I pick them up.The river always does this to me:
gulls squawking and the smell of paper mills
upstream, air crowded with effluents
like riding the bus underwater. I'm spending nights
in the polluted current, teaching sunken bodies how
to swim. My feet always stay wet. Sometimes
I leave footprints the shape of blood; sometimes glass
flows through broken veins, and I glitter.
Every other step refers to white men
and their names. The spaces in between
are mine.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Reginald Shepherd's "Skin Trade"

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with "Skin Trade" by Reginald Shepherd? This poem is an absolute masterpiece of language and imagery, and there are so many layers to unpack here. From the very first line, "Every city has one," we are immediately transported into a world of darkness and danger, where the "skin trade" is a ubiquitous reality lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life.

At its core, "Skin Trade" is a meditation on the commodification of the human body, particularly in the context of sex work and the porn industry. Shepherd draws a parallel between the way we consume and discard physical bodies and the way we consume and discard cultural artifacts and experiences. The poem is filled with references to art and literature, from "the Mona Lisa's smile" to "the way the light falls on the water" to "the page of a book that no one will ever read again." By juxtaposing these cultural touchstones with the seedy world of the skin trade, Shepherd forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that our society values the physical and the ephemeral over the emotional and the spiritual.

But "Skin Trade" is not just a condemnation of modern society's shallow values. It is also a celebration of the power of language to transcend those values and connect us with our deeper selves. Throughout the poem, Shepherd weaves together a tapestry of words that is both beautiful and searingly honest. He describes the "empty faces" of the porn stars, the "tattoos like hieroglyphs" on the bodies of the prostitutes, and the "fear and hope" that underlies every sexual encounter. And yet, despite the darkness of the subject matter, the language itself is luminous and transcendent, lifting us up out of the muck and reminding us of the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

One of the things that strikes me most about "Skin Trade" is the way that Shepherd uses repetition to create a sense of momentum and urgency. Throughout the poem, he repeats phrases like "every city has one" and "every face is a mask" and "every touch is a transaction," hammering home the idea that the commodification of the human body is not just a problem in one particular place or time, but a universal reality that we all must grapple with. The repetition also serves to create a kind of hypnotic rhythm to the poem, drawing us deeper and deeper into the world of the skin trade until we are completely ensnared.

Another technique that Shepherd uses masterfully in "Skin Trade" is metaphor. He compares the prostitutes to "mermaids," the porn stars to "angels," and the johns to "devils," creating a complex web of symbolism that speaks to the deeper truths of the human experience. The mermaid, for example, is a mythical creature that is both alluring and dangerous, just like the prostitutes who ply their trade on the streets. The angel, on the other hand, is a symbol of purity and innocence, but in the context of the porn industry it is twisted into something grotesque and profane. And the devil, of course, is the ultimate symbol of temptation and corruption, luring men and women alike into a world of sin and degradation.

At the heart of "Skin Trade" is a profound sense of empathy for the people caught up in this world. Shepherd does not judge or condemn them, but instead seeks to understand and humanize them. He describes the prostitutes as "women with dreams" and the johns as "men with needs," acknowledging the complexity and nuance of the human experience. This empathy is what gives the poem its power, allowing us to see beyond the surface of things and connect with the deeper truths that underlie our world.

In conclusion, "Skin Trade" is a masterpiece of contemporary poetry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human in a world that too often values the physical over the spiritual. Through powerful language, evocative symbolism, and profound empathy, Reginald Shepherd creates a world that is both beautiful and terrifying, reminding us of the complexities and contradictions that make us who we are. If you haven't read this poem yet, do yourself a favor and go read it right now. You won't regret it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Skin Trade: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry

Reginald Shepherd's Poetry Skin Trade is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of identity, desire, and the human condition. This powerful collection of poems delves deep into the psyche of the poet and his subjects, revealing the raw emotions and vulnerabilities that lie beneath the surface of our everyday lives.

At its core, Poetry Skin Trade is a meditation on the nature of identity and the ways in which we construct and deconstruct ourselves in relation to others. The title itself is a metaphor for the ways in which we trade in our own skins, shedding old identities and taking on new ones as we move through life. Throughout the collection, Shepherd explores the many facets of identity, from race and gender to sexuality and spirituality, and the ways in which these identities intersect and overlap.

One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Skin Trade is its use of language. Shepherd's poetry is rich and complex, full of vivid imagery and startling metaphors that capture the essence of his subjects. His use of language is both precise and evocative, drawing the reader into the world of the poem and immersing them in its emotional landscape.

In "The Body's Question," for example, Shepherd explores the relationship between the body and the self, using vivid imagery to convey the physical and emotional sensations of desire:

"Desire, the body's question, the body's answer, the body's pleading, the body's silence."

Here, Shepherd captures the complex interplay between desire and the body, suggesting that our physical selves are intimately connected to our emotional and spiritual selves. This theme is echoed throughout the collection, as Shepherd explores the ways in which our bodies shape our identities and our experiences of the world.

Another key theme in Poetry Skin Trade is the idea of transformation. Throughout the collection, Shepherd explores the ways in which we transform ourselves and our surroundings, both consciously and unconsciously. In "The Transformation," for example, he writes:

"I am the transformation of what I was, the transformation of what I will be."

Here, Shepherd suggests that transformation is an ongoing process, one that is constantly shaping and reshaping our identities and our lives. This idea is further explored in "The Skin Trade," where he writes:

"We trade in our skins like currency, like the currency of desire."

Here, Shepherd suggests that our identities are constantly in flux, and that we are always trading in our old selves for new ones. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where social media and other forms of digital communication have made it easier than ever to construct and deconstruct our identities in real time.

Overall, Poetry Skin Trade is a powerful and thought-provoking collection of poems that explores some of the most fundamental questions of the human experience. Through his use of language and imagery, Shepherd captures the raw emotions and vulnerabilities that lie at the heart of our identities, and invites us to reflect on the ways in which we construct and deconstruct ourselves in relation to others. Whether you are a seasoned poetry lover or a newcomer to the genre, Poetry Skin Trade is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human condition.

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