from the tea water
flume also comes…
a firefly

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

chasing flies
is a two-person job…
widow

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

night fishing–
the pleading
of a katydid

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

hey butterfly
move aside!
bath water’s splashing

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

the trout too
hit their peak young…
Yoshino River

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

what are you eating
to make such a noise!
cuckoo

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

knowing no parent
the fly clings piggy-back
to me

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

spring breeze–
three ride the same horse
home

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

the ants’ road
from peaks of clouds
to here

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue

they cry to each other
across a river
deer in love

– Kobayashi Issa

Translation by David G. Lanoue