In the spring chill,
as I slept with sword by pillow,
deep at night
my little sister came to me
in dreams from home.

tanka by Masaoki Shiki
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on the pine needles,
each of the slender needles,
a dewdrop rests—
a thousand pearls lie
quivering, yet never fall

tanka by Masaoki Shiki
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to every needle
of the needled pine it clings—
the pearl white dew,
forming but to scatter,
scattering but to form

tanka by Masaoki Shiki
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the plaintain at the veranda's edge
unfolds its coiled leaves,
its jewels,
and veils the water basin
in five feet of green

tanka by Masaoki Shiki
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