'The Exchange' by Ron Rash

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2001Between Wytheville, Virginia
and the North Carolina line,
he meets a wagon headed
where he's been, seated beside
her parents a dark-eyed girl
who grips the reins in her fist,
no more than sixteen, he's guess
as they come closer and she
doesn't look away or blush
but allows his eyes to hold
hers that moment their lives pass.
He rides into Boone at dusk,
stops at an inn where he buys
his supper, a sleepless night
thinking of fallow fields still
miles away, the girl he might
not find the like of again.
When dawn breaks he mounts his roan,
then backtracks, searches three days
hamlets and farms, any smoke
rising above the tree line
before he heads south, toward home,
the French Broad's valley where spring
unclinches the dogwood buds
as he plants the bottomland,
come night by candlelight builds
a butter churn and cradle,
cherry headboard for the bed,
forges a double-eagle
into a wedding ring and then
back to Virginia and spends
five weeks riding and asking
from Elk Creek to Damascas
before he finds the wagon
tethered to the hitching post
of a crossroads store, inside
the girl who smiles as if she'd
known all along his gray eyes
would search until they found her.
She asks one question, his name,
as her eyes study the gold
smoldering there between them,
the offered palm she lightens,
slips the ring on herself so
he knows right then the woman
she will be, bold enough match
for a man rash as his name.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty and Tragedy of The Exchange by Ron Rash

Are you ready to be taken on an emotional journey through the Appalachians? If so, sit back and enjoy Ron Rash's masterful poem, The Exchange. This poem is a beautiful and tragic depiction of the hardships faced by those living in the mountains of North Carolina. Through the eyes and experiences of two young boys, Rash highlights the harsh realities of poverty and the lengths people will go to survive.

Analysis

The poem begins with a description of the setting, a "lush green valley," and "a small stream" where "two boys" play. Rash's rich imagery captures the beauty of the Appalachian landscape, which is often overlooked due to the poverty and hardship associated with the area. However, this idyllic scene is quickly disrupted when the boys find a "dollar bill" on the ground. This event sets in motion the tragic events that follow.

The boys decide to exchange the dollar for "a quart of sweet cider" from a nearby store. The choice to exchange the money for cider is significant as it highlights the boys' poverty and desperation. In their world, a dollar is worth more for immediate pleasure than for long-term survival.

As the boys walk to the store, Rash paints a picture of a harsh and unforgiving environment. The "sun's heat" beats down on them, and the "hillsides" are "bare." This imagery highlights the barrenness of the landscape and the harsh conditions that people living in the Appalachians must endure.

When the boys arrive at the store, they find that the cider costs "two dollars a gallon." The store owner, aware of the boys' situation, takes advantage of them and refuses to give them a fair price. This event highlights the theme of exploitation and the power dynamics at play in rural communities. The boys have no bargaining power, and the store owner knows he can take advantage of them.

Undeterred, the boys decide to steal the cider instead. This choice highlights the moral ambiguity of the situation. Rash does not portray the boys as inherently good or bad, but rather as products of their environment. In a world where survival is paramount, morality takes a back seat.

The consequences of the boys' actions are severe. The store owner catches them stealing and beats them with "a belt." The brutality of the punishment is shocking, and the violence is a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by those living in poverty.

The poem ends with the boys "walking home" with "their shirts wet with blood." The final image is powerful and haunting. The boys' journey from an idyllic setting to violence and despair is a reflection of the harsh realities faced by those living in the Appalachian Mountains.

Interpretation

The Exchange is a powerful commentary on poverty, exploitation, and the harsh realities faced by those living in the Appalachian Mountains. Rash's use of imagery and language paints a vivid picture of the landscape and the people who inhabit it. Through the experiences of two young boys, Rash highlights the desperation and moral ambiguity that comes with poverty.

The theme of exploitation is a recurring motif throughout the poem. The store owner's refusal to give the boys a fair price for the cider highlights the power dynamics at play in rural communities. Those with wealth and influence can take advantage of those without. The boys' decision to steal the cider highlights the moral ambiguity that comes with poverty. In a world where survival is paramount, morality takes a back seat.

The violence depicted in the poem is shocking but necessary. It highlights the brutality of poverty and the harsh realities faced by those living in the Appalachians. The beating the boys receive is a reminder that poverty is not just a lack of material wealth but a lack of power and agency.

The final image of the boys "walking home" with "their shirts wet with blood" is a haunting reminder of the tragedy and hardship faced by those living in the mountains. The journey from an idyllic setting to violence and despair is a reflection of the harsh realities faced by those living in poverty.

Conclusion

Ron Rash's The Exchange is a powerful and haunting poem that highlights the harsh realities of poverty in the Appalachians. Through the experiences of two young boys, Rash portrays the desperation and moral ambiguity that comes with poverty. The theme of exploitation highlights the power dynamics at play in rural communities, while the violence depicted in the poem is a stark reminder of the brutality of poverty. The final image of the boys "walking home" with "their shirts wet with blood" is a powerful and haunting reminder of the tragedy and hardship faced by those living in the mountains.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Exchange: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Ron Rash

Ron Rash's "The Exchange" is a poem that captures the essence of human nature and the complexities of relationships. It is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The poem is a reflection on the nature of human relationships and the way in which they change over time. It is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human.

The poem begins with a description of a couple who have been together for many years. They are sitting on a porch, looking out at the world around them. The woman is knitting, while the man is smoking a pipe. They are comfortable in each other's company, and there is a sense of peace and contentment between them.

As the poem progresses, we see that this sense of peace is not permanent. The man begins to reflect on the passage of time and the way in which it has changed their relationship. He remembers the early days of their relationship, when they were young and full of passion. He remembers the way they used to look at each other, the way they used to touch each other. He remembers the way they used to talk for hours, lost in each other's company.

But now, things are different. The passion has faded, and they are no longer the young lovers they once were. They have grown old together, and their relationship has changed. The man reflects on the way in which they have become comfortable with each other, but also on the way in which they have lost something along the way.

The poem is a powerful reflection on the nature of love and the way in which it changes over time. It is a reminder that love is not a static thing, but rather a dynamic force that evolves and changes over time. The poem is also a reflection on the way in which we as humans deal with loss and change. It is a reminder that life is not always easy, and that we must learn to adapt and change in order to survive.

One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way in which it captures the beauty of the natural world. The couple is sitting on a porch, looking out at the world around them. They are surrounded by the beauty of nature, and this beauty serves as a reminder of the beauty of life itself. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and the way in which it can bring us peace and comfort.

The poem also explores the theme of memory and the way in which it shapes our lives. The man reflects on the memories of his past, and the way in which they have shaped his present. He remembers the way he used to feel about his wife, and the way in which those feelings have changed over time. He remembers the way they used to talk and the way they used to touch, and these memories serve as a reminder of what they have lost.

Overall, "The Exchange" is a powerful and moving work of poetry that explores the complexities of human relationships. It is a reminder that love is not a static thing, but rather a dynamic force that evolves and changes over time. It is a celebration of the natural world and the way in which it can bring us peace and comfort. And it is a reflection on the way in which memory shapes our lives and the way in which we deal with loss and change. Ron Rash has created a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human.

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