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VOGUE SHOOT, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

In "Vogue Shoot," Sharon Olds offers a reflective and immersive experience of participating in a professional photo shoot, blending the mundane and the poetic. The poem explores themes of self-image, artistry, and the collaborative nature of creating beauty. Through vivid descriptions and introspective musings, Olds captures the complex emotions associated with being in the spotlight and the collective effort behind a single image.

The poem begins with the speaker recounting the various individuals involved in the shoot: "Hair, Make-Up, Light, / two Stylists, the Photographer," among others. This enumeration of the crew sets the stage for the bustling, organized chaos typical of a high-profile photo shoot. The presence of so many professionals emphasizes the importance of each detail in crafting the final image.

As the process unfolds, the speaker describes the tactile sensations and visual elements of the transformation. Sheri, the make-up artist, uses "a medieval tool" to curl the speaker's eyelashes, causing a brief, sharp discomfort: "the follicles in each eyelid shrieked / once." This moment highlights the sometimes painful efforts involved in beauty rituals. Sheri's application of makeup, described as "emollient gunk, / colors of the woods light, / in earliest spring," evokes a natural and soft palette, suggesting a subtle and earthy transformation.

The speaker reveals a personal struggle with self-image, confessing a fear of being "distasteful to look at," and a wish to be seen for her "spirit" rather than her physical features. This vulnerability adds depth to the poem, as the speaker grapples with the pressure to conform to beauty standards and the desire for authenticity. The gentle care of the make-up artist, who "petted my closed organs of vision, / blessing them," provides a moment of comfort and acceptance, contrasting with the speaker's internalized anxieties.

Fernando, the hairstylist, is described with reverence as he works on the speaker's hair, likened to "a sort of tunnel, or / funnel, away from my head." His touch is compared to mythical creatures—"nerieds through a sea, naiads / a stream, dryads through the leaves"—imbuing the moment with a sense of magic and reverence. This imagery elevates the act of hairstyling to a ritualistic, almost sacred act, underscoring the artistry involved.

The shoot moves outside, where the photographer, Mark, directs the speaker's movements: "Yes, that’s it, chin down / a little, now turn to the side." The choreography of the shoot, described as "nine or twelve graces / moving together in pavanne," conveys a sense of harmony and coordination among the crew. The shoot becomes a dance, a collective creation where each person contributes to the final vision. The speaker's face becomes the "pool around which we danced," symbolizing the focal point of the artistic endeavor and the subject of collective effort and attention.

The poem's conclusion shifts focus to the younger members of the crew, described as "stagehands of the mist and grass / and plants," highlighting the behind-the-scenes work that supports the production. Their admiration for the speaker's "letter to Laura Bush" provides a moment of human connection and recognition, bridging the gap between the artist and the audience. This interaction, set against the backdrop of a rainy afternoon, underscores the communal nature of the work and the shared pursuit of beauty and truth.

As the speaker reflects on the experience, she acknowledges her role as "a worker, with my fellow workers," alluding to the collective effort behind creating art. The poem closes with a nod to the "muse the glossy page, our muse / the reader," acknowledging the ultimate audience of their work. The final lines express a hope for "some beauty, some / truth in our deeply troubled place and time," suggesting that art serves as a beacon of hope and reflection amid societal challenges.

"Vogue Shoot" is a meditation on the complexities of beauty, the collaborative nature of art, and the interplay between self-perception and external image. Sharon Olds captures the nuances of participating in a photo shoot, highlighting both the artistry involved and the personal journey of the subject. The poem underscores the importance of human connection and the pursuit of truth and beauty, even in seemingly superficial contexts.


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