Deep Into Autumn

Deep into autumn
and this caterpillar
still not a butterfly

poem by Matsuo Basho
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On the white poppy

On the white poppy,
a butterfly’s torn wing
is a keepsake

poem by Matsuo Basho
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Untitled

The summer grasses
All that remains
Of brave soldiers dreams

poem by Matsuo Basho
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A flash of lightning:
Into the gloom
Goes the heron's cry.

haiku by Matsuo Basho
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Souls' Festival

souls' festival
today also there is smoke
from the crematory

poem by Matsuo Basho
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This old village

This old village-
not a single house
without persimmon trees.

poem by Matsuo Basho
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A bee

A bee
staggers out
of the peony.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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Heat waves shimmering

Heat waves shimmering
one or two inches
above the dead grass.

poem by Matsuo Basho
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The passing spring

The passing spring
Birds mourn,
Fishes weep
With tearful eyes.

poem by Matsuo Basho
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The Warbler Sings

the warbler sings
among new shoots of bamboo
of coming old age

poem by Matsuo Basho
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