Long Haiku nature Poems

Haiku Translations I

As the monks sip their morning tea,
chrysanthemums quietly blossom.
—Matsuo Basho, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

The fragrance of plum blossoms
on a foggy path:
the sun rising.
—Matsuo Basho, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

The sea...

Read More

Haiku Translations II

Illuminated by the harvest moon
smoke is caught creeping
across the water...
Hattori Ransetsu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Fanning its tail flamboyantly
with every excuse of a breeze,
the peacock!
Masaoki Shiki, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Waves...

Read More

daybreak calls off moon's whitewash

in the wee of this morn I startled up from what quite seemed like a crash landing from midair plunge of a fledgling's first flight—thanks to my false 'alarmers'; the plantain...

Read More

Oh, splendorous tree, limbs reaching high
with grandness framed by endless sky-

your epic branches sway in rhythmic dance
while rustling leaves whir with breeze-
concerting their own song.

Of nature's boundless beauties, you, grand tree,
display epitome of form and...

Read More

Summer fading, Autumn draws near
Apace, a waft murmur hum so clear

Bold aroma of petrichor gather
Upon pulse lands color plants
Rains journey row by row

Nature sounds amid thinning amber leaves, 
Neath calm of shadow deciduous trees
Tinder blaze...

Read More

mud~I love the musky scent that evaporates from the moistened earth bed during downpour and also relish sailing paper boats on the puddles.It serves as a home for tiny insects and invisible bacterias.


  ...

Read More

 

and beneath the earth
a realm of endless burning...
the sun is silent

forever darkness
with loud moaning like the wind ...
dead gnarled trees withered

a fierce hell abyss
with rivers of boiling blood ...
smells of decaying

serpents and dragons
guard the...

Read More

(Dedication: For Paul Callus)


Time and space dance
Sorrow meets cheer
Sync with tact


Joy ever fades
Nothing much remains
Dust gathers


Joy even tempts
Offers nothing new
Dinosaur bones


Charm feeds
Empty charade
No escapade


Charm leaks
Messy tirade
Lament in loss


Words come
Echoes fling
Not much done


Words leave
Takeaway noise
Not much...

Read More

days dormant brighter 
twilight sun paths warms thee earth
winter’s call cool-cold 
~
green to brown winter 
rains turning to snow showers
winter wet season
~
sun doesn't shine as
with lots of rain, ice or snow
why? cause- It’s winter
~
pleasant, autumn...

Read More

caterpillars gorge
metamorphosis begins 
translucent blue wings

Written 4th August 2020

My favourite butterfly is the Blue Morpho with a wingspan of almost 21centimeters.  I love the idea that butterflies are associated with spiritual transformation ~ their...

Read More

imploring wand wish
                 waves glob white alien arms
           ...

Read More