H
A I K U S P
I R I T
Takahama
Kyoshi
Following the current
a turnip leaf
at full speed
Paulawnia leaf
facing the sun fire
in its fall
Like a flying flag
it seems
the winter sun
In the cold a butterfly
passes at full flight
after its soul
Treetop faraway
struck by the sun
withered moors
Off each object put down
something comes out
that looks like autumn
One word from him
one word from me
autumn deepens, I think
Another year
like slipped
onto the same rod
Up to the stars
they rise again
flocks of birds
Playing ball
she sings a very sad nursery rhyme
with such a great voice
Rain beads
on branches that have no leaves yet!
Early spring
In Kamakura
Great Bhuddha seems to
fear the last cold of winter
I close my eyes
and see myself again as a kid...
spring evening
In the white reflection
of the azalea a red carp
draws its nose out!
At the foot of the mirror
the fly, just born,
motionless, watches itself
Out of love for you,
longtime ago, a painter died,
sunflowers in bloom!
Evening bats!
a wild-eyed mother,
waits for her kid
They are so light
my old summer clothes
as I have empty pockets...
The monk utters
an unsolvable enigma...
outside, atumn has started
A man is nothing
between seas and continents!
mid autumn...
Only one word
for friends to understand each
other...
in the heart of autumn
A No mask
lies sadly on the stage;
autumn has ended
Just after Shiki MASAOKA's death
My poet friend
has died... this morning, already,
the waning moon
Blackbird in the sky:
can't you fly anymore?
first storm
Between two thorns
they have found their place
the bamble branch's buds
Pomegranates are red
and men are courageous
in my home place!
Something has moved
in this reddish-brown bush:
the ear of a cat!
Shaking, it took shelter
in my sleeve:
autumn's butterfly!
Translation: Gilles Fabre