Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Shimmy" by Kevin Young is a compact yet evocative exploration of desire, risk, and the complex nature of attraction. The poem plays with a mix of contrasting images and sentiments to articulate a relationship that is tantalizing but potentially harmful. Within its concise form, "Shimmy" manages to capture the push and pull of emotional and physical attraction while hinting at its dangers.

The opening line, "You are, lady, admired-secret," immediately establishes an atmosphere of allure and secrecy, suggesting a forbidden or unattainable love. The speaker likens the object of their desire to a "mist" that "gathers / like moss," both ephemeral and grounding. Mist is elusive, always just out of reach, while moss is associated with the slow, steady growth that comes from staying in one place. This contrast reflects the complex nature of admiration from a distance, a tension between the fleeting and the enduring.

The mention of moths adds another layer to the theme of attraction and risk. Moths are known for being drawn to light, often fatally so, and their "winning way" implies a seemingly purposeful yet destructive behavior. The words "flash, burn, / return-" indicate a cycle of being drawn in, suffering, and yet being unable to resist coming back. The term "Old flame" ties in seamlessly with this imagery, emphasizing both familiarity and inherent danger in the emotional dynamic being described.

In the subsequent lines, Young delves into the world of gambling and risk, comparing the lady to "insurance, this horse I'm betting / against-longshot, fix, undecided pyro- / technic." These images portray the relationship as a gamble with high stakes. The term "undecided pyro- / technic" combines the allure and volatility of fireworks with a sense of uncertainty, encapsulating the unpredictability of the relationship. The speaker is betting against the "horse," acknowledging the low odds of a favorable outcome but engaging in the gamble regardless, as if lured by the possibility of a dramatic turn of events.

The poem concludes with the memorable line, "You fit my tongue like arsenic," a vivid image that brings together pleasure and poison. The word "fit" suggests compatibility and intimacy, but the mention of arsenic immediately casts a shadow over the relationship. It's a toxin, deadly if ingested, symbolizing the fatal attraction the speaker feels. This ending encapsulates the paradox at the heart of the poem: the very thing that brings pleasure or excitement is also fraught with danger.

In "Shimmy," Kevin Young masterfully employs rich imagery and thematic depth to explore the complexities of desire and risk within a short span of lines. He crafts a portrait of an attraction that is seductive, uncertain, and potentially dangerous, a nuanced depiction of the emotional gambles people often engage in. The poem serves as a lyrical meditation on the contradictory forces that often characterize human relationships, illuminating the beauty, mystery, and peril that can coexist in a single emotional experience.

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