How admirable
How admirable!
to see lightning and not think
life is fleeting.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Matsuo Basho
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
That wren
That wren--
looking here, looking there.
You lose something?
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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These sea slugs
These sea slugs,
they just don't seem
Japanese.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Even with insects
Even with insects--
some can sing,
some can't.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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A bee
A bee
staggers out
of the peony.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Matsuo Basho
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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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
poem by Yosa Buson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Hey, sparrow!
Hey, sparrow!
out of the way,
Horse is coming.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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They end their flight
They end their flight
one by one---
crows at dusk.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Yosa Buson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Visiting the graves
Visiting the graves,
the old dog
leads the way.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Seen
Seen
through a telescope:
ten cents worth of fog.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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How much
How much
are you enjying yourself,
tiger moth?
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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First day of spring
First day of spring--
I keep thinking about
the end of autumn.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Matsuo Basho
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The toad! It looks like
The toad! It looks like
it could belch
a cloud.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Napped half the day
Napped half the day;
no one
punished me!
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The morning glory also
The morning glory also
turns out
not to be my friend.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Matsuo Basho
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The pheasant cries
The pheasant cries
as if it just noticed
the mountain.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Midfield
Midfield,
attached to nothing,
the skylark singing.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Matsuo Basho
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The old man
The old man
cutting barley--
bent like a sickle.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Yosa Buson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The man pulling radishes
The man pulling radishes
pointed my way
with a radish.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Kobayashi Issa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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He's on the porch
He's on the porch,
to escape the wife and kids--
how hot it is!
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Yosa Buson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The oak tree
The oak tree:
not interested
in cherry blossoms.
Translated by Robert Hass
poem by Matsuo Basho
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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