Daily Archives: June 13, 2010

GRASPING AT FIREFLIES

Posted on June 13, 2010 by

There is a very interesting old summer hokku by Ryusūi: Mayoigo no   naku naku tsukamu   hotaru kana Lost-child ‘s  crying crying grasping fireflies kana A lost child; He cries and cries And grasps at fireflies. Some verses make … Continue reading →

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LEAVES SUDDENLY APPEAR

Posted on June 13, 2010 by

A summer hokku: Sunrise; Leaves suddenly appear On the paper screen. This too is a verse requiring a small intuitive leap.  Why would leaves suddenly appear on a paper screen?  Because the sun has just risen, casting shadows of plants … Continue reading →

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WHITE RAIN

Posted on June 13, 2010 by

Jōsō wrote a summer hokku: In the white rain, Ants are running Down the bamboos That is a very literal translation.  In English we would not be likely to say “white rain.”  Instead we would probably say, In the clear … Continue reading →

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THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE

Posted on June 13, 2010 by

Today was beautiful where I am.  After days and days of pouring rain and cool temperatures, the sky cleared, the sun shone, and the temperature rose into the low 80s. It made me think of the old lines from the … Continue reading →

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