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.
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.