H  A  I  K  U     S  P  I  R  I  T
Natsume Soseki




Autumn wind colouring the leaves ~
is it this wind that put on my head
my first grey hair?






On the wings of wind
light and faraway
the swallow






Pagoda looming up
and higher
dead leaves raised by the wind






Winter mountain ~
even if there were a walker
no one could see him






Four bare walls ~
only a lamp
to bring comfort in this icy room






Wintry weather ~
the mountain rings with the blade
cutting bamboos






At the tip of my brush
frozen
a drop of water






During meditation
struck the gong lets out
a sleepy mosquito






A house
silently uncovers
the secret of snow






Sky and earth
merging ~
first mist






Spring estuary ~
faraway
a temple's bell-tower






A firefly
silently goes through the lounge ~
green moon






Wintry gales
pushing the setting sun
into the sea






blunt is the blade
cutting through the rice-stone ~
blunt is this year






I would like to be born again
if possible
small as a violet






Solitary moon
left to the night ~
who's watching you?






End of the year ~
the cat stays
curled up on my lap






Through the night train window
white spots ~
plum blossoms?






Plum early blossom
I gave it a name ~
snow petals






In the dark room
catching the silence
a cricket sings






Could science be an art ~
the art of making
fireworks...






Right near my brush
a red dragonfly has settled ~
which soul is it with?






On my own thinking of nothing
already gone
this year's first three days






The dragonfly's dream
settling
on the blade






I am alive
I raise my eyes very high
where a red dragonfly is flying






Men live
men die
wild geese come past






The red dragonfly
has settled on my shoulder
casually and intimately






Ask the wind
which leaf is to fall
first






Bamboo
four five leaves
it is winter soon






Cold morning
my bones are alive
I don't move






Spring shower
huddled against each other
one umbrella for two






In the bath steam
showing up
two shaved skulls






Translation: Gilles Fabre






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