Get Your Premium Membership

Matsuo Basho: English translations of Haiku about Winter 2

Matsuo Basho: English translations of Haiku about winter, cold, rain, rains, frost, frosts, snow, snowflakes, wind, children, childhood, hail, hail stones, winter life. Mushroom-gathering, rushing to beat cold evening rains. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Ceremonious hailstones assail my hinoki hat. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Caught hatless in a winter shower? So it goes. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch How many frosts have tested this pine’s mettle? —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch A winter drizzle obscures the field’s freshcut stubble. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The drinkers’ faces paler than the snow: a flash of lightning. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The polished mirror clear as snowflake petals. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The relentless wind sharpens rocks and stones, topples cedars. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Cold fear desolate as a deserted frost-crusted shack. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch How marvelous, the winter snow will return as rain. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Children come running, dodging jewels: hailstones. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch At least the world has left, unblemished and unbegrimed, a single wooden bowl. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The bowl in question had been left by Rotsu in Osaka, and was returned undamaged seven years later. Rotsu was a Basho disciple. The mud snail’s closed lid: winter confinement. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Inside my hut, watching my own breath: winter confinement. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch So weary of Kyoto, of the withering wind and winter life. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch I will soon be included among the fortunate ones: beyond winter. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A comment has not been posted for this poem. Encourage a poet by being the first to comment.


Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry