Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Nurse Sharks," by William Matthews, offers a captivating glimpse into the underwater world, exploring the fascinating characteristics of these often misunderstood creatures. The poem delves into the habits and nature of nurse sharks while also capturing the poet's personal experiences and reflections during encounters with them. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful observations, Matthews portrays the delicate balance between fascination and fear, as well as the interplay between human and marine life.

The poem begins by explaining a key biological fact about most sharks: they lack flotation bladders and must keep swimming to avoid sinking. This necessity drives them to rest in underwater caves or shallow waters, where their dorsal fins may protrude above the surface. Matthews sets the scene for an encounter with a nurse shark, named for the mistaken belief that it protects its young by taking them into its mouth. This introduction provides a foundation for understanding the behavior and characteristics of nurse sharks, which are generally non-aggressive and docile compared to other species.

Matthews recounts a personal encounter with a nurse shark, highlighting the tension and excitement of the moment. The poet describes the shark's reaction to the bubbles released from his regulator, noting how the shark "shied from the bubbles" but was curious about the light reflecting off the equipment. This moment marks the poet's first encounter with a shark, evoking a visceral reaction: "I clenched / every pore I could." This description emphasizes the instinctive fear and awe that many people feel when faced with such an encounter.

The poem also touches on the remarkable sensory abilities of sharks, particularly their acute sense of smell. Matthews illustrates this with a striking anecdote: a shark, wounded and thrown back into the water, was later caught again, attracted to a hook baited with its own guts. This incident underscores the powerful and sometimes tragic aspects of sharks' natural instincts, as well as the often brutal interactions between humans and these marine predators.

Matthews contrasts the nurse shark's behavior with that of the infamous great white shark, known for its aggressive tendencies. He notes that most sharks, including nurse sharks, are scavengers and prefer to eat prey that is already dead or dying. This preference is highlighted by the advice to divers: "Move to show you're alive / but not so much as to cause panic." The poet recounts a specific moment when a nurse shark nibbled at his regulator, only to lose interest and veer away upon the appearance of an angelfish. The shark's rough skin scraped the poet's kneecap, leaving a mark that lasted for a week, symbolizing the lasting impact of these encounters.

The poem concludes with a vivid scene of nurse sharks sleeping in shallow water. Matthews describes them as "wedge-shaped heads lax / on each other's backs," creating an image of serene, communal rest. However, this tranquility is disrupted when one shark stirs, causing a ripple effect that wakes the others. The sudden movement of the sharks, described as "grey flames burning out to sea," transforms the water into a chaotic, opaque churn of sand and motion. The poet's promise to avoid diving alone again reflects the sobering realization of the dangers inherent in these encounters, despite their allure.

"Nurse Sharks" is a richly detailed exploration of the natural world, offering insights into the behavior and biology of nurse sharks while also capturing the poet's personal experiences and emotions. Matthews' use of precise language and vivid imagery allows readers to vividly imagine the underwater scenes and feel the tension and wonder of these encounters. The poem ultimately reflects on the delicate balance between human curiosity and respect for the natural world, highlighting the need for understanding and caution in our interactions with it.

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