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
Copyright © Michael Burch | Year Posted 2019
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