snow melts
and the village floods
with children
Issa
the dawn of day -
on the tip of the barley leaf
the frost of spring
Onitsura
treading on the tail
of the copper pheasant
the setting sun of spring
Buson
in the shadow of the cherry blossom
complete strangers
there are none...
Issa
the sonbird's song -
it stops what I am doing
at the sink
Chigetsu
summer grasses...
traces of dreams
of ancient warriors
Basho
the thief
left it behind -
the moon at the window.
Ryokan
late autumn -
a single chair waiting
for someone yet to come
Arima Akito
grasshopper -
do not trample to pieces
the pearls of bright dew
Issa
how piteous!
beneath the helmet
chirps a cricket
Basho
plumes of pampas grass -
the helpless tremblings
of a lonely heart
Issa
the first dream of the year -
I kept it a secret
and smiled to myself
Sho-u
(painting by Trinifellah)
