Matsuo Basho

Don't imitate me

Don't imitate me;
it's as boring
as the two halves of a melon.

Translated by Robert Hass

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don't imitate me;
it's as boring
as the two halves of a melon.

haiku by John Tiong ChunghooReport problemRelated quotes
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Mutuality Galore

the reason why i want to be you
is because you like to be me too

we become mirrors then
i to you
and you to me

what i do you shall do
and what you do i shall do too

it happens all the time
and all the people in the neighborhood
talk and laugh

about this mimicry
they call it crazy

we look like a melon cut into
perfect halves

how boring, how nauseating
because you are still a woman
and i have remained my own man

poem by Ric S. BastasaReport problemRelated quotes
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281

the reason why i want to be you
is because you like to be me too

we become mirrors then
i to you
and you to me

what i do you shall do
and what you do i shall do too

it happens all the time
and all the people in the neighborhood
talk and laugh

about this mimicry
they call it crazy

we look like a melon cut into
perfect halves

how boring, how nauseating
because you are still a woman
and i have remained my own man

poem by Ric S. BastasaReport problemRelated quotes
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Kobayashi Issa

That wren

That wren--
looking here, looking there.
You lose something?

Translated by Robert Hass

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Matsuo Basho

A bee

A bee
staggers out
of the peony.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

Even with insects

Even with insects--
some can sing,
some can't.

Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

These sea slugs

These sea slugs,
they just don't seem
Japanese.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Matsuo Basho

First day of spring

First day of spring--
I keep thinking about
the end of autumn.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

How much

How much
are you enjying yourself,
tiger moth?

Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

Hey, sparrow!

Hey, sparrow!
out of the way,
Horse is coming.

Translated by Robert Hass

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My arm for a pillow

My arm for a pillow,
I really like myself
under the hazy moon.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

Napped half the day

Napped half the day;
no one
punished me!

Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

Visiting the graves

Visiting the graves,
the old dog
leads the way.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

The toad! It looks like

The toad! It looks like
it could belch
a cloud.

Translated by Robert Hass

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They end their flight

They end their flight
one by one---
crows at dusk.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

Seen

Seen
through a telescope:
ten cents worth of fog.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Kobayashi Issa

The man pulling radishes

The man pulling radishes
pointed my way
with a radish.


Translated by Robert Hass

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The end of spring

The end of spring--
the poet is brooding
about editors.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Matsuo Basho

Midfield

Midfield,
attached to nothing,
the skylark singing.


Translated by Robert Hass

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Matsuo Basho

How admirable

How admirable!
to see lightning and not think
life is fleeting.


Translated by Robert Hass

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