Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sharks" by Kelly Cherry is a compelling poem that weaves together themes of danger, resilience, and the possibility of redemption through vivid maritime imagery and allusions to Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick." The poem opens with a quotation from the novel, suggesting that even the most fearsome creatures, like sharks—or angels—can be governed, or controlled, under the right circumstances. This sets the stage for an exploration of the human capacity to navigate and survive amidst life's perils.

The poem vividly portrays the relentless nature of sharks, symbolizing the unpredictable and often hostile challenges that life presents. The comparison of a shark's sudden attack to a squall underscores the unpredictability and the inevitable confrontations individuals must face. The imagery of "underslung jaws swinging loose" evokes a sense of impending doom, yet there's a hint of innocence in the comparison to "a baby getting ready to bawl," suggesting that danger and vulnerability are two sides of the same coin.

The "sole survivor," presumably a man lost at sea, becomes a symbol of human endurance. Surrounded by sharks, he represents the struggle to maintain one's grace under pressure, to keep faith amidst despair. The poem suggests that survival is not just a physical battle but a spiritual one, where the survivor must draw upon deep reserves of strength and wisdom to withstand the trials that encircle him.

The transformation of the sea into a metaphysical battleground, where the survivor contends with "the Pacific Ocean" as if it were a nurturing yet overwhelming force, illustrates the dual nature of life's challenges—they can both threaten and sustain us. The reference to "the Cape of Sin" and the journey "south of Paradise" alludes to the idea that navigating life's trials is akin to a voyage through moral and existential territories, where one's character and beliefs are tested.

Ultimately, the poem hints at the potential for transcendence. The notion that the survivor might "teach a school of hammerheads to dance on the head of a pin" suggests that even in the face of immense danger and adversity, there is room for mastery, for turning the tables on one's circumstances, and perhaps for finding a way to coexist with or even transform the very forces that seem most threatening.

"Sharks" is a powerful meditation on survival, the human spirit's resilience, and the potential for finding wisdom and agency in the midst of life's most daunting challenges. Through its rich maritime imagery and philosophical underpinnings, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own encounters with adversity and the possibility of emerging with newfound strength and understanding.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Yellow_Shoe_Poets/2D6aqhb651oC?q=BACA+%22MEN+LATE+AT+NIGHT+COOK+COFFEE+IN+RUSTY+CANS%22&gbpv=1&bsq=SHARKS#f=false

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...