From ‘Cherry Blossoms. Japanese Haiku Series III’ Published by the Peter Pauper Press

Spring

IT IS SPRING AGAIN …
GAY IN THE GARDEN
GATHER
SUN-BATHING SPARROWS

- ONITSURA


Summer


A BABY SPARROW …
HOPPING
WITH CURIOSITY
TO WATCH MY BRUSHWORK

- SHOHA



ON THE GIDDY SWING …
TINY GIRL-CHILD
CLUTCHING TIGHT
HER SPRAY OF BLOSSOMS

- ISSA



THAT FAT OLD BULL-FROG
SAT THERE STARING
BACK AT ME
WITH A SOUR FACE

- ISSA



BOUNCING THE BALL …
SHE BENDS TO MAKE
A FACE AT HER
MEOWING KITTEN

- ISSA


Autumn


MY SACRED SWALLOW …
TWITTERING OUT
FROM YOUR NEST IN
GREAT BUDDHA’S NOSTRIL

- ISSA


Winter
FEEBLE FEEBLE SUN …
IT CAN SCARCELY
STRETCH ACROSS
WINTER-WASTED FIELDS

- BAKUSUI