Issa Translations I

Petals I amass with such tenderness prick me to the quick. —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch This world of dew is a dewdrop world; and yet ... —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Standing beneath cherry blossoms who can be strangers? —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch An enormous frog! We stare at each other, both petrified. —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Skinny frog, hang on ... Issa to the rescue! —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Right at my feet! When did you arrive here, snail? —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch I toss in my sleep, so watch out, cricket! —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch In a better world I'd leave you my rice bowl, little fly! —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Cries of the wild geese ... Spreading rumors about me? —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch While a cicada sings softly a single leaf falls ... —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Wake up, old tomcat, then with elaborate yawns and stretchings prepare to pursue love —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch This windy nest? Open your hungry mouth in vain, Issa, orphaned sparrow! —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch The ghostly cow comes mooing mooing mooing out of the morning mist —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch The snow melts and the village is flooded with children! —Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch Full moon, my ramshackle hut is an open book! —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Oh, brilliant moon can it be true that even you must rush off, late for some date? —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Don't weep, we are all insects! Lovers, even the stars themselves, must eventually part. —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Standing unsteadily, I am the scarecrow’s skinny surrogate —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Don't weep, we are all insects! Lovers, even the stars themselves, must eventually part. —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Bonfires for the dead? Soon they'll light pyres for us instead. —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch Oh, magnificent peony, please don't disdain these humble surroundings! —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch In our world we walk suspended over hell admiring flowers. —Kobayashi Issa, translation by Michael R. Burch