I am struggling analyzing this poem. Can anyone help? please??

Question

Seventy-one!
How did
a dewdrop last?
—Kigen, Japanese Death Poems byYoel Hoffman (Tokyo, 1986)

Answer 1

This brief and poignant poem by Kigen is part of a tradition in Zen Buddhism of writing death poems, typically created by monks and poets as they approached death. The simplicity and brevity of the poem reflect the Zen aesthetic of minimalism and profound contemplation.

Here’s a breakdown of the key elements:

1. "Seventy-one!" – This likely refers to the poet's age at the time of writing. It sets the stage for the reflection on life and its transience, hinting at the brevity of a human lifespan, especially when considered in the grander scheme of the universe.
2. "How did / a dewdrop last?" – A dewdrop is a common metaphor in Zen poetry for the fleeting nature of life. Dew forms in the morning and disappears with the heat of the day, much like human life, which is ephemeral and fleeting. The question, "How did a dewdrop last?" expresses wonder at the idea of anything so temporary persisting at all, perhaps alluding to the marvel of having lived as long as 71 years.
3. Zen and Impermanence – In Zen Buddhism, impermanence (or mujo) is a central concept. The poem contemplates the mystery of life and death, embracing the notion that all things, like the dewdrop, are temporary, transient, and bound to vanish.

The poem, in its simplicity, carries deep existential reflection, conveying both wonder and acceptance of life's inevitable impermanence.