Pissing in the snow

Pissing in the snow
outside my door--
it makes a very straight hole.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Children imitating cormorants

Children imitating cormorants
are even more wonderful
than cormorants.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Under the image of Buddha

Under the image of Buddha
all these spring flowers
seem a little tiresome.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Ducks bobbing on the water

Ducks bobbing on the water--
are they also, tonight,
hoping to get lucky?

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

In the thicket's shade

In the thicket's shade
a woman by herself
singing the rice-planting song.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Even on the smallest islands

Even on the smallest islands,
they are tilling the fields,
skylarks singing.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

A bath when you're born

His death poem:

A bath when you're born,
a bath when you die,
how stupid.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Asked how old he was

Asked how old he was,
the boy in the new kimono
stretched out all five fingers.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

Napping at midday

Napping at midday
I hear the song of rice planters
and feel ashamed of myself.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!

It once happened

It once happened
that a child was spared punishment
through earnest solicitation.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Kobayashi Issa
Added by Poetry Lover
Comment! | Vote! | Copy!