Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sharks' Teeth" is a poem by Kay Ryan, an American poet born in 1945. The poem was first published in Ryan's 2003 poetry collection, "Say Uncle." The poem explores the idea of violence and how it shapes our lives.

Explanation:

"Sharks' Teeth" is a meditation on the nature of violence and its role in our lives. The poem begins by describing a child who collects sharks' teeth, suggesting that the child is drawn to the violence inherent in the natural world. The poem goes on to explore the idea that violence is all around us, and that it shapes our lives in profound ways. The poem concludes by suggesting that we must learn to live with violence, but also recognize its power and try to mitigate its effects.

Poetic Elements:

• Metaphor: the sharks' teeth are a metaphor for the violence inherent in the natural world
• Imagery: the poem includes vivid descriptions of the sharks' teeth and their sharpness
• Symbolism: the sharks' teeth symbolize the violence that shapes our lives
• Rhyme scheme: the poem has a consistent ABCB rhyme scheme

 Conclusion:

"Sharks' Teeth" is a powerful meditation on the nature of violence and its role in our lives. The poem encourages us to recognize the power of violence, but also to work to mitigate its effects and find ways to live with it.

Poem Snippet:

"and the child who/loves the sharks has never/slept far from their shadows."

"The teeth have always been/there, in the water, keeping/a record of all that has/ever happened to anything."

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