Welcome to Poem of the Day – Don’t Kill That Fly by Kobayashi Issa.
Kobayashi Issa, one of Japan’s most beloved haiku poets, is celebrated for his sensitivity to the natural world and his ability to evoke deep emotion through concise yet poignant expressions. His haiku often bridge the gap between the everyday and the spiritual, reflecting on life, death, and the transient beauty of nature. Issa delivers a powerful message about empathy, coexistence, and the sanctity of life. Through this simple but profound verse, Issa invites us to reconsider our relationship with other living beings, emphasizing the value of compassion in our interactions with the world around us.
Don’t Kill That Fly Poem
don’t kill that fly
it is making a prayer to you
by rubbing its hands and feet
The Structure and Simplicity of the Haiku
A traditional haiku consists of three lines with a syllabic pattern of 5-7-5. This brevity is a hallmark of the form, and Issa’s haiku adheres to this structure while also distilling a complex idea into a few words. The beauty of Issa’s haiku lies not just in its brevity, but in how much it conveys in such a short space. Every word is purposeful, and the impact of the poem is immediate.
The simplicity of the haiku mirrors the underlying message—what seems to be a minor action, like killing a fly, is actually a significant moral decision. By using such a brief form, Issa allows the reader to pause and reflect on the larger implications of a small, seemingly insignificant moment. The nature of haiku often leaves much to the reader’s interpretation, but in this case, the meaning is crystal clear: a call for compassion toward all living creatures.
Don’t Kill That Fly Poem Explanation
The first line of the haiku, “Don’t kill that fly,” presents a direct command. It’s a simple instruction, but it carries a moral weight. In a world where insects are often seen as pests or nuisances, Issa’s plea is unexpected. Flies, often dismissed as insignificant or bothersome, are elevated to a position of equal importance in this poem. Issa challenges the reader to reframe their thinking about life and death, asking us to recognize the inherent value of even the smallest creatures.
The command also reflects a kind of mindfulness—an awareness of the impact our actions can have on others. It’s a reminder to pause and consider the life of a creature before ending it thoughtlessly. In this sense, the haiku acts as a meditation on the sanctity of life and the responsibility we have toward all beings, not just those we deem important or lovable.
Empathy and Coexistence
In the second line, “It’s a fellow creature,” Issa adds depth to the fly’s character. The fly is no longer just a nuisance but a “fellow creature,” a being with as much right to live as any human, animal, or plant. The word “fellow” implies a shared existence, a recognition that humans and flies are not entirely separate but part of the same web of life. This subtle shift in perspective calls for empathy—the ability to recognize oneself in another living being, even if that being is vastly different from oneself.
Issa’s poem challenges anthropocentrism, the belief that humans are the center of the universe and that other creatures exist only in relation to human needs or desires. By calling the fly a “fellow creature,” Issa suggests that all beings, regardless of their size or perceived importance, have intrinsic value. The fly is not a mere object to be swatted away; it is a fellow traveler on the path of life, struggling to stay alive just as we all are.
The Universal Struggle for Life
The final line of the haiku, “Trying to stay alive,” humanizes the fly in a profound way. Issa taps into the universal struggle for survival that all living beings share. This line not only evokes a sense of sympathy for the fly but also connects the fly’s plight to that of every living creature, including humans. Just as we go about our daily lives trying to preserve our own existence, so too does the fly, despite its seemingly inconsequential nature.
The word “trying” introduces an element of vulnerability. It acknowledges that life is not guaranteed and that survival is a constant struggle, even for creatures as small and seemingly insignificant as a fly. This line reminds the reader that every creature—no matter how small, how fleeting—faces the same ultimate challenge: to continue living, even for a moment longer.
The Spiritual Implications
Issa’s haiku, though simple, also carries spiritual overtones. In many Buddhist traditions, which deeply influenced Issa’s poetry, there is an emphasis on compassion for all living beings, regardless of their form or status. The teaching of ahimsa—non-violence—is central to many Eastern philosophies, and this haiku can be seen as a reflection of that principle. By asking the reader to reconsider the act of killing the fly, Issa encourages mindfulness and reverence for all life, aligning with Buddhist and Taoist ideas of interconnectedness and respect for the natural world.
The haiku also speaks to the impermanence of life, another key theme in Buddhist thought. Life is fragile and fleeting, and every moment is an opportunity to practice compassion and mindfulness. By saving the fly, one is not only sparing its life but also engaging in an act of kindness that transcends the ordinary. This small, seemingly insignificant gesture becomes an act of spiritual merit, a recognition of the divine presence in all beings.
Conclusion
Kobayashi Issa’s haiku “Don’t kill that fly” encapsulates a profound ethical and spiritual lesson in just a few short lines. Through his simple plea, Issa calls us to rethink our attitudes toward other creatures and to approach life with greater compassion and mindfulness. The fly, a creature often dismissed as insignificant, is shown to be a fellow traveler on the path of life, deserving of the same respect and care we would give to any other living being. Issa’s haiku challenges us to look beyond appearances, to see the interconnectedness of all life, and to embrace the universal struggle for survival that binds us all together. It is a timeless reminder that every life—no matter how small—is precious, and that our actions, no matter how small, have the power to make a difference in the world.
