Digging For This Poem Sparknotes

Within Alex Dimitrov’s first book of poetry, Begging for It, one is able to establish his artistic interpretation within his work. In addition, one is able to notice segments of his subject of pain and his conquest of shame. Through a psychological lens, one is able to see Dimitrov portray his gender by acknowledging the gay community. This allows one to explore the relationship of artist and contemporary gay poetry that he creates. Moreover, allowing one to observe how his identity shapes his poetry. Dimitrov’s gay identity is what makes his poetry distinct from others creating juxtaposition between gender and sex.
“Sensualism” portrays the narrators longing for feeling. This poem expands upon the idea of lust, and companionship of another. In doing so, the narrator portrays his need for intimacy that he mistakes pain for passion. Analyzing the title, “Sensualism”, which is to allow one to satisfy their sexual pleasure, creates a foundation for comprehending the poem. “A mosquito presses into my skin/ with such cruelty I mistake it for love” (Sensualism, 2-3). This literal interpretation creates a tone of emotional despair, conveying the narrator’s sexual desire. Pain becomes the conduit for love or in this case lust. Yet, at the same time pain is more than just a conduit it is
However, the poem itself focuses on the narrator demeaning himself. “Someone on the internet tells me, / ‘If we ever meet, I will lovingly degrade you’” (1-2). This sentence portrays the narrator having an online conversation with another person. However, what stands out is the significant of the word degrade. One can realize that to “lovingly degrade” could mean to humiliate or damage but in a lovingly way implies in a sensual way. This theme of pain and love portrays itself as a theme within Daimitrov’s two poems. One might also notice that there are two unknown characters within both