HAIKU BY KOBAYASHI ISSA

 

In the beggar’s tin
a few thin copper coins
and this evening rain

          Issa – tr. Sam Hamill – The Sound of Water (Shambhala, 2000)

 

 

As the great old trees
are marked for felling, the birds
build their new spring nests

          Issa – tr. Sam Hamill – The Sound of Water (Shambhala, 2000)

 

 

The distant mountains
are reflected in the eye
of the dragonfly

          Issa – tr. Sam Hamill – The Sound of Water (Shambhala, 2000)

 

 

From the woman
on the beach, dusk pours out
across the evening waves

          Issa – tr. Sam Hamill – The Sound of Water (Shambhala, 2000)

 

 

A world of trials
and if the cherry blossoms,
it simply blossoms

          Issa – tr. Sam Hamill – The Sound of Water (Shambhala, 2000)

 

 

The blossoming plum!
Today all the fires of hell
remain empty

          Issa – tr. Sam Hamill – The Sound of Water (Shambhala, 2000)

 

 

 

Oh, don’t mistreat
the fly! He wrings his hands!
He wrings his feet!

          Issa – tr. Harold G. Henderson – An Introduction to Haiku (Doubleday, 1958)

 

 

In the thicket’s shade,
and all alone, she’s singing—
the rice-planting maid.

          Issa – tr. Harold G. Henderson – An Introduction to Haiku (Doubleday, 1958)

 

 

Somehow it seems wrong:
to take one’s noonday nap and hear
a rice-planting song.

          Issa – tr. Harold G. Henderson – An Introduction to Haiku (Doubleday, 1958)

 

 

Little sparrow! Take care!
Get out of the way!—Mr Horse
is coming there!

          Issa – tr. Harold G. Henderson – An Introduction to Haiku (Doubleday, 1958)

 

 

Out from the hollow
of Great Buddha’s nose—
comes a swallow.

          Issa – tr. Harold G. Henderson – An Introduction to Haiku (Doubleday, 1958)

 

Return to:  OTHER POETS & POEMS OVERVIEW

Start typing and press Enter to search