haiku-usa

A blog devoted mainly to haiku and senryu and to thoughts about, and inspired by, haiku and senryu.

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Location: New York, New York

Haiku is to poetry as espresso is to coffee.

Friday, December 31, 2010

fallen snow

old snow
rising in the wind
the new year

It's 12:58 AM here.

year's end 2010

year's end
staring at the moon
I blink

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Thursday, December 30, 2010

after :10

limbs of the plum tree
groaning in winter wind–
mine too

Buson 1716-1784

It's impossible to miss the humor in Buson's haiku, rendered very freely here. But there's also a willingness to see oneself objectively, humbly, and unsentimentally as part of nature, and not only when nature is smiling. Buson also knew that the appearance of the plum blossoms will be an early indication that the worst of winter has passed.

For an explanation of "afters," see the post for Nov. 2, 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

this old house

this old house
after a blizzard
the wind on all sides

Friday, December 24, 2010

jingle

the jingle
of a beggar's cup
Christmas Eve

And may your cup run over now and through the new year.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

after: 9

today
the whole world looks old
first winter rain

Basho 1644-1694

For an explanation of "afters," see the post for Nov. 2, 2010.

Monday, December 20, 2010

deep chill

deep chill
the stars so far
from each other

First published in Notes from the Gean

Sunday, December 19, 2010

good news bad news

"Senate Ends Military Ban on Gays Serving Openly" (NY Times, Dec. 19, 2010)

The good news is that the United States Senate has rendered my recent "don't ask don't tell" senryu (Dec. 10) obsolete.

There is no bad news.

Friday, December 17, 2010

after: 8

winter night
this is where
I am

Santoka 1882-1940

For an explanation of "afters," see the post for Nov. 2, 2010


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

flurries

flurries . . .
the Salvation Army bell
rings rings rings

I'm always glad to give the Salvation Army a plug. My Australian friends refer to the Salvation Army as the Salvos. I love that.

Friday, December 10, 2010

don't

"Senate delivers potentially fatal blow to `don't ask, don't tell' repeal effort." Washington Post, Dec. 10, 2010.

don't ask don't tell
the senators
don't listen

fit

fitful sleep
the trash carried off
at dawn

First published in Notes from the Gean

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

after: 7

I hurry to greet
the late-arriving guest–
the last chrysanthemums

Fusai (1885-?)

Sort of a supplement to "after: 6."

For an explanation of "afters," see the post for Nov. 2, 2010

Monday, December 06, 2010

after: 6

the chrysanthemums gone
there's nothing
but radishes

Basho (1644-1694)

Between the chrysanthemums and the plum blossons, there aren't many "poetical" subjects, says Basho. The true poet, though, might take a look at the radishes.

the radish grower
pointing the way
with a radish

Issa (1763-1827)

Issa is perhaps the most lovable of the haiku masters.

For an explanation of "afters," see the post for Nov. 2, 2010.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

away

away at school–
her stuffed animals lean
on each other

First published in Notes from the Gean

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