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

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

this old house

this old house

after a blizzard

the wind on all sides

jingle

the jingle

of a beggar's cup

Christmas Eve

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

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.

deep chill

deep chill

the stars so far

from each other

First published in Notes from the Gean

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.

after: 8

winter night

this is where

I am

Santoka 1882-1940

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

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

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

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.

away

away at school–

her stuffed animals lean

on each other

First published in Notes from the Gean