Bashō Writes a Haiku
1
In Edo Japan
Bashō strolls along, keeping
his eyes wide open.
2
On the dusty road
to Osaka, Bashō hears
the sound of water.
3
Bashō sees a lake,
then a frog, then a third thing,
quite invisible.
4
Bashō lays down his
walking stick for a fine brush,
dips it in black ink.
5
Bashō sits very still.
His hand is the lake, the frog,
the sound of water.
13 thoughts on "Bashō Writes a Haiku"
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Incredible.
Simply.
I’ll never forget the line “His hand is the lake” in this window into Basho’s haiku. I especially the last stanza’s version of his poem for its minimalism.
I feel like I went on a walk with Basho. Just wonderful.
Present tense
makes this timeless
I favor using a strainer on poems, so I am probably biased to say this is an immaculate poem!
the sound of water
I love the simplicity and profundity of this, it’s movement and it’s stillness, and the last bit “His hand is the lake, the frog/the sound of water” is so beautiful, universal, peaceful.
its, not it’s lol
The artistry of stillness. Beautiful.
Gorgeous.
Lovely.
I’m in love with this one!
5
Bashō sits very still.
His hand is the lake, the frog,
the sound of water.
I love that last one especially.