Matsuo Basho: English translations 3
Matsuo Basho: English translations of haiku about birds, flowers, candles, life, death.
Naptime!
But my drowsiness is nixed
by busybody warblers.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
Carolers:
the sparrows smile
at their warbling.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
Giving thanks to the flowers
for brightening my visit:
farewell.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
Melancholy nub!
The bamboo bud’s
sad end.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
This lightning flash
the hand receives in darkness:
a candle.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
Nighttime folly:
grabbing a thorn,
expecting a firefly.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
More nighttime weirdness:
a fox stalking
a melon?
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
It’s better to become a beggar
than a critic.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
No rest:
the carpenter
hangs his own shelf.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
A disgusting smell
slimed on waterweeds:
pale chub entrails.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
A country boy
shucking husks
gazes at the moon.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
The poet’s heart?
Will we ever really understand
ume blossoms?
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
What tree blossoms here?
I do not know
its mysterious aroma.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
I will lodge here
until the tender goosefoot
matures into a walking stick.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
May you tumble safely
onto sand or snow,
sake-addled horse rider.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
I miss my mother and father
so much:
the kiji’s cry.
—Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch
Her ascent easy
and yet still hesitant,
the cloud-veiled moon.
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch
A cuckoo flying,
cawing, crying and cajoling:
busybody.
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch
This swinging bridge:
hard to imagine
horses crossing.
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch
Tender-horned snail,
point those tiny tips
toward distant mountains!
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch
Even the wild boar
is blown about
by buffeting winds.
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch
The Kiyotaki’s unblemished waves
gently dispersing
still-green pine needles.
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch
Said to have been Basho’s last haiku. Kiyotaki means “clear” and is the name of a river.
Copyright ©
Michael Burch
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