Matsuo Basho: English translations of Haku about Summer 1

Matsuo Basho: English translations of haiku about summer, life, sun, sunshine, sunlight, melons, willows, rain, rivers, hats, shade, sad, sadness. Such coolness when shouldered: the summer’s first melon. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch A wicker basket shields the coolness of the first melon. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Morning dew: the muddy melon exudes coolness. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Early summer rain: the green spikemoss, how long to remain? —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Timidly the willow refrains from touching deutzia blossoms. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch An oiled paper umbrella attempts to push aside unobliging willows. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The ancient river ogles the slender willow. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch So like life: this small patch of shade beneath a wicker hat. Still alive despite the slightness of my hat, I cherish its shade. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch This summer world floats in the lake’s silver waves. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch A weary horse collapsing in barley: traveler’s rest. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch On the distant plain the deer’s voice seems an inch tall. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch How sad, the bellowing of bucks, The bleatings of does, at night. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Even woodpeckers hold this old hut sacred, still standing in the summer grove. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Toppling from the topmost bough, emptiness aloft: the cicada’s husk. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The hollyhock leans sunward in the summer rain. —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Ah, the splendid resplendence of sunlight on tender evergreen leaves! —Matsuo Basho, translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The fragrance of oranges... In whose farmyard is the cuckoo calling? —Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch Temple bells reverberate: cicadas singing. —Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch Shouldering hay bales, someone left enough straw to mark our way. —Matsuo Basho, translation by Michael R. Burch