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.