"Killing Floor," the titular poem in Ai's second poetry collection, marks a significant evolution from her earlier work found in Cruelty (1973). While Cruelty featured monologues from unnamed, ordinary individuals, Killing Floor, published in 1978, broadens its scope to embed its violent themes within historical and cultural frameworks. This collection, which earned the Lamont Poetry Selection Award for best second book by an American poet, moves beyond merely documenting acts of violence to exploring their deeper meanings in a broader social context.

Ai employs a stark, unembellished style that can easily be misunderstood as sensational or superficial due to its focus on blood and brutality. However, this deliberate choice is meant to jolt readers into contemplating the grim realities of history and society. The poems are not just accounts of violence but are embedded with rich, historical layers as seen in works featuring figures such as Trotsky, Emiliano Zapata, Marilyn Monroe, and Yukio Mishima. These figures serve as conduits to explore the intersection of personal and political struggles, framing the violence as part of a larger, universal conflict.

In "Killing Floor," Ai particularly delves into the life of Trotsky, using vivid imagery to examine his personal and political dilemmas, thereby situating his experiences within a universal narrative. This approach expands the understanding of violence beyond the immediate act, inviting contemplation on the societal and historical forces that perpetuate such cycles. Thus, Ai's poetry in Killing Floor transcends the sensational to offer a piercing insight into the complex and often brutal tapestry of human history.

The exploration of identity through the lens of historical and personal multiplicity emerges as a poignant theme in the reinterpretation of Trotsky’s life and work. In this reimagining, the emphasis on the fluid nature of identities, such as that of Bronstein, also known as Trotsky, mirrors the intricate tapestry of identities encapsulated by the poet Ai herself. Ai, who was born Florence Anthony, embodies a rich amalgam of ethnicities, including Japanese, African American, Choctaw, and Irish. This diverse heritage is vividly reflected in her poetry, highlighting the tension between individual complexity and societal expectations for fixed identities.

Ai's poetic voice becomes a medium through which she navigates the anxiety induced by the world’s insistence on static identity. Her work captures the essence of identity as a dynamic and enduring concept, resisting confinement within rigid definitions. By illustrating the multifaceted nature of both historical figures like Trotsky and her own heritage, Ai challenges the audience to reconsider the limitations imposed by social definitions. Her poetry suggests that identity is far too complex and resilient to conform to prescribed norms, whether imposed by society or by oneself.

Ai masterfully utilizes historical and common personas to infuse her monologues with a distinct voice, drawing comparisons to renowned poets like Robert Browning, A. E. Housman, and Sterling Brown. However, it is the starkness and intensity of her violent imagery that sets her work apart. In "Killing Floor," Ai explores the political journey of Trotsky, imagining his emergence from the Volga and his symbolic transformation upon returning to the Jordan. This narrative unfolds within the layers of dream and reality, where history is portrayed as a tapestry of crisis, longing, and violence.

What distinguishes Ai's work is her nuanced approach to humanizing history through a deep exploration of emotional and spiritual identity. Her poetry presents a compelling blend of violence and beauty, nightmare and spirituality, all interwoven with history and poetry. Through this intricate fusion, Ai crafts a vision that captures the relentless struggle of life—the quest to define oneself and embrace one's identity. This struggle is portrayed not merely as a conflict, but as a profound journey where the emotional and spiritual dimensions of identity play a central role in understanding the complexities of human existence.