tanimizu ya / ishi mo uta yomu
/ yamazakura
sakura-slopes
in the valley-stream
even the stones make songs
Uejima Onitsura (1660-1738)
Visiting parents
Basalt pavement reflects
street lights
Shunting yard’s music
mikazuki wa / soru zo samusa wa / saekaeru
the crescent moon
is bent back; the cold
is keen
Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827)
Moon’s sickle looming
No light enters the dark
lake
Dead fish keep sleeping
umi kurete / kamo no koe / honoka ni shiroshi
darkening sea
the wild ducks’ cries
are dimly white
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)
Only twinkling stars
No way to see the wild ducks
But they are noisy