Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Poem Ending with a Line by Su Tung-Po," dedicated to Hayden Carruth by Stephen Dobyns, is a reflective piece that delves into the contemplation of mortality, the passage of time, and the quest for equilibrium between action and acceptance. Through the interplay of personal reflection and philosophical inquiry, Dobyns navigates the complex terrain of human existence, juxtaposing the mundane with the sublime, the inevitable decline with the beauty of the moment, and the finality of death with the continuous flow of life.

Su Tung-Po (also romanized as Su Shi or Su Dongpo, 1037–1101) was one of the most prominent figures in the history of Chinese literature. A poet, essayist, painter, calligrapher, and statesman of the Song Dynasty, his multifaceted talents and profound influence on Chinese culture have made him a legendary figure.

The poem opens with an acknowledgment of a friend's fear of dying, a universal human concern that gains intensity as one confronts its imminence. This fear is not new; it is an intrinsic part of the human condition, but its acceleration brings it to the forefront of the mind, making it impossible to ignore. The image of a "dark mass" pressing against the brain symbolizes the weighty presence of mortality in one's consciousness, a shadow that looms larger as one moves closer to the end.

Dobyns employs the contrast between "Cracked mufflers versus Bach" to highlight the tension between the chaotic noise of the world and the pursuit of beauty and meaning through art. The struggle to appreciate the delicacy of a Bach partita amid the "traffic squalor" serves as a metaphor for the broader challenge of finding tranquility and significance in the face of life's cacophony and turmoil. This juxtaposition reflects the poet's search for moments of clarity and harmony amidst the disorder and distraction of everyday life.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone, posing rhetorical questions about the nature of regret in relation to the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life. These questions invite the reader to consider the futility of regretting the unavoidable and the importance of embracing the fleeting moments of existence. The imagery of a "dark night with a single star" and the "long view down the mountain" evokes a sense of perspective, emphasizing the journey of life as one that moves from the darkness into light, and from the summit of experience down to its conclusion.

The final lines of the poem, inspired by the wisdom of Su Tung-Po, capture the essence of striving for a state of detachment and continuous movement through life. The metaphor of being "both arrow and bow" encapsulates the dynamic between being the force that propels action and the instrument that allows for its release. This duality suggests a balance between intentionality and letting go, between shaping one's path and surrendering to the trajectory once it is set in motion.

The arrow's flight past the "dead oak at the end of the path" symbolizes the journey beyond life's end, the movement towards something unknown and beyond the visible horizon. The admonition to ensure "the mind never clings" speaks to the Buddhist concept of non-attachment, the idea that true freedom and peace come from releasing one's grip on the impermanent and accepting the flow of life with equanimity.

In "Poem Ending with a Line by Su Tung-Po," Dobyns crafts a meditative exploration of mortality, the search for beauty amidst chaos, and the pursuit of balance between action and acceptance. Through poignant imagery and philosophical questioning, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own relationship with the impermanence of life and the ways in which they navigate the tension between holding on and letting go.

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