Standing unsteadily,
I am the scarecrow’s
skinny surrogate
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
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Petals I amass
with such tenderness
prick me to the quick.
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
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In a better world
I'd leave you my rice bowl,
little fly!
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
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I toss in my sleep,
so watch out,
cricket!
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
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Skinny frog,
hang on ...
Issa to the rescue!
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
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An enormous frog!
We stare at each other,
both petrified.
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
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Wali baya wali baya wali baya
Zah talib yam faiz me ayad.
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