The chapbook "the skin song" by Dr. Devon Fulford is a poignant and evocative collection of poetry that delves into themes of sexuality, identity, and the passage of time. Each poem is a vignette that captures moments of intimacy, loss, and self-discovery, creating a tapestry of experiences.

One of the main themes of the chapbook is the exploration of one’s sexual identity and the ways in which it’s influenced by experiences. This theme is particularly evident in poems like "I Think You’ve Been Here Before," where the poet revisits a formative road trip, weaving together memories of love, music, and self-perception:

“…no, i’ve got reasons for every attribute and quirk and
proclivity. this is before the internet can tell me otherwise, that i’m

not as special as i’ve convinced myself i am. he’s personally liable for
at least some of my skewed and silky perception: he tells me”

The poem captures the bittersweet nature of looking back, acknowledging the beauty of the past while also recognizing the ways in which it has shaped the present.

Another prominent theme is the societal pressures and judgments that individuals, especially women, face. This is poignantly illustrated in the poem "would you rather be a woman or a blaze?," which highlights the tragic reality that society compares women to property:

“instead of yelling help
they say instead

say fire
scream fire

property damage is just easier to
reconcile than a girl on a street

dousing her flame in his sea.”

By advising someone to shout "fire" instead of "help," it underscores how property is sometimes valued more than human suffering. The imagery of a girl trying to extinguish her flame in a sea suggests a struggle for survival and the difficulty of finding help in a world that prioritizes material over a woman’s life.

The overall tone of the poems oscillates between nostalgia and melancholy, with an undercurrent of resilience that permeates the collection. The poems radiate with a sense of longing and reflection, often exploring the complexities of relationships and the ways in which they shape our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us.