More Rain . . .

Spring rain
conveyed under the trees
in drops.

Spring rain
Leaking through the roof,
Dripping from the wasps' nest.

              Skylark on moor --
              Sweet song
              Of non-attachment.

                                                                                                         A mountain pheasant cry
                                                                                                         fills me with fond longing for
                                                                                                         father and mother

- Matsuo Basho

Photo by: PrettyMoment

More Haiku at: The Haiga Pages

. . . and Another

Exhausted, I sought
a country inn, but found
wisteria in bloom

- Matsuo Basho

BOOK REVIEWS. Sort Of.

Morning Haiku - Sonia Sanchez  

I really enjoy discovering new to me poets and I love haiku, so for me this book was an exacta.

Ms Sanchez offers haiku in many different styles, as tributes and celebrations, and occasionally her words stopped me cold.

          Why do some days wear the
          clothing of a beggar?

Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches - Matsuo Basho   

Basho is a perennial favorite of mine. I've been reading his haiku for years but only just recently began reading the travel Sketches. Even through uneven translations, his mastery of language shines.

I was stunned though when I read of his encounter with an abandoned three year old child. He sympathizes with the child's undeserved suffering, bemoans that it was caused by "the irresistible will of heaven," then says that he must pass on and leave the child behind. He gave the child what little food he had, then left.

I need some time to process. Talk amongst yourselves.

BOOK REVIEWS. Sort Of.

Narrow Road to the Interior: And Other Writings - Matsuo Basho, Sam Hamill     

I've read Matsou Basho's poetry for years in anthologies, but this is the first time I've read it in context. It gave each tiny poem so much more depth. Loved it.

We Are All on the Narrow Road

all the more I wish to see
in those blossoms at dawn
the face of a god

- Basho

HAIKU FROM A MASTER

a wild sea
the Milky Way laid sideways
to Sado Isle!

- Matsuo Basho

date of issue : 23 / august / 1988 発行

The first two images are of the proffered haiku in the native Japanese.
Araumiya Sado ni yokotau Amanogawa

If you're curious:

Basho's Life
Basho's Haiku

Haiku for People

Matsuo Bashô: Frog Haiku (Its existence is an interesting commentary on translation, itself)