Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Maxine W. Kumin’s "How to Survive Nuclear War; After Reading Ibuse's 'Black Rain'" is a poignant meditation on the aftermath of nuclear devastation, inspired by Masuji Ibuse’s novel "Black Rain," which chronicles the horrors of the Hiroshima bombing. Kumin begins by situating herself in Kyoto, weakened by illness and unable to visit Hiroshima, which becomes a metaphor for her existential and physical vulnerability. The ordinary act of room service delivering tea and aspirin contrasts starkly with the extraordinary suffering depicted in Ibuse’s work, highlighting the dissonance between everyday comforts and the historical atrocity she reflects upon.

Kumin juxtaposes local Japanese customs, such as the Holy Radish Festival and a celebration honoring insects killed during the harvest, with her own acts of violence, albeit minor, against nature—killing Japanese beetles to protect her raspberries. These cultural rituals underscore a reverence for life that contrasts with the mass destruction of Hiroshima, forcing Kumin to confront her complicity in harm, even in small acts.

Ibuse’s descriptions of radiation sickness—hair falling out, teeth breaking, skin peeling—illustrate the grotesque physicality of nuclear aftermath. Kumin’s visceral recounting of these details serves to remind readers of the real, bodily suffering that results from such violence. The “black rain” becomes a potent symbol of lasting trauma, physically marking survivors much like a tattoo but with profound pain and physical decay.

Kumin’s acknowledgment, "I understand we did this. I understand we may do this again," is a stark admission of collective guilt and the cyclical nature of violence. This admission also speaks to the broader fear of nuclear warfare and the potential for future atrocities. Her dream of a festival mourning the maiming of ginkgo trees parallels the ritualistic elements of human suffering and resilience. The ginkgo, known for its resilience and longevity, becomes a symbol of hope and regeneration. The practice of pollarding—cutting back a tree to promote new growth—serves as a metaphor for human endurance and the possibility of renewal even after catastrophic damage.

The dream concludes with a powerful image: the severed shoots of the ginkgo trees taking on human forms, signifying a form of resurrection and renewal. This dream sequence suggests a cycle of destruction and rebirth, implying that despite humanity's destructive tendencies, there remains a capacity for recovery and continuity.

Upon waking, Kumin finds herself parched and exposed, her body marked by sunlight—an ordinary, yet profound reminder of life and survival. The sight of ginkgo trees under her window, resilient and sprouting new growth, reinforces a message of hope and resistance against despair. The new sprouts, described as "enemies of despair," symbolize the enduring human spirit and the potential for rebirth and healing.

In "How to Survive Nuclear War; After Reading Ibuse's 'Black Rain'," Kumin masterfully weaves together personal reflection, historical atrocity, cultural rituals, and natural resilience. Through vivid imagery and poignant admissions, she explores themes of guilt, survival, and the enduring hope for regeneration amidst destruction. The poem serves as both a lament for past horrors and a testament to the resilience inherent in nature and humanity.

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