Saturday, May 30, 2009

Basho

Do not seek to follow
in the footsteps of the men of old;
seek what they sought.

An autumn night...
don't think your life,
didn't matter.

There is nothing you can see that is not a flower;
there is nothing you can think that is not the moon.
Twilight is silent
behind the raucousness of
the cockatoo flock.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Bhalachandra

back to sleep
at dawn -
outside, the birds
only know the morning

Bhalachandra

spring in Seattle -
the white side of leaves
showing in the wind

Uejima Onitsura 1660-1738


To finally know the plum,
use the whole heart too,
and your own nose


A voiceless flower
speaks to the obedient
in-listening ear


Silent the garden
where the camellia-tree
opens its whiteness
the water fountain
has ceased -
autumn leaves rustle above


-Bhalachandra
before leaving
to teach,
the rain begins

-Bhalachandra
amongst pine trees,
a metal pole
is slanted


-Bhalachandra

Winter Haiku

Denuded branches -
roots seeking the sustenance
of the quiet sky.