Zen Death Haiku Iv

ZEN DEATH HAIKU IV These are my modern English translations of Japanese Zen Death Haiku. The moon hovering above the snow-capped mountains rained down hailstones —Sekitei Hara, loose translation by Michael R. Burch Oh, dreamlike winter butterfly: a puff of white snow cresting mountains —Kakio Tomizawa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch Spring snow cascades over fences in white waves —Suju Takano, loose translation by Michael R. Burch First one hidden face is revealed, then the other; thus spinning it falls, the autumn leaf. —Ryokan (1758-1831) , translation by Michael R. Burch I persuaded a child to purchase rural wine; once I'm nicely tipsy, I'll slap down some calligraphy. —Ryokan (1758-1831) , translation by Michael R. Burch The thief missed it: the moon bejeweling my window. —Ryokan (1758-1831) , translation by Michael R. Burch This world: a distant mountain echo dying unheard... —Ryokan (1758-1831) , translation by Michael R. Burch The peonies I planted around my hut I must now surrender to the wind's will —Ryokan (1758-1831) , translation by Michael R. Burch Wild peonies blossoming in their prime, glorious in full bloom: Too precious to pick, To precious to leave unplucked —Ryokan (1758-1831) , translation by Michael R. Burch The Orchid Deep in the valley, a secluded beauty! Serene, peerless, impossibly lovely. In the bamboo thicket's shadowy tower she seems to sigh softly for a lover. —Ryokan (1758-1831) , translation by Michael R. Burch Observe: see how the wild violets bloom within the forbidden fences! —Shida Yaba (1663-1740) , loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch A white swan parts the cherry-petalled pond with her motionless breast. —Roka (1671-1703) , translation by Michael R. Burch When no wind ruffles the Kiri tree leaves fall of their own free will. —Nozawa Boncho (1640-1714) , loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Loneliness: striking the gong again and again, the lookout. —Hara Sekitei (1886-1951) , loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Sleeping alone; a mosquito interrupts my dreams with its querulous voice... —Chigetsu (1632-1706) , loose translation by Michael R. Burch The rain is helpless to reach the ground— a winter gale —Mukai Kyorai (c.1651-1704) , loose translation by Michael R. Burch Keywords/Tags: Haiku, Zen, Japan, Japanese, translation, life, death, aging, time, pain, sorrow, lament, nature