This is what is happening where I am today:
(Spring)
Spring snow —
As it touches the ground,
It melts.
That is the time I am in — the yang forces of warmth are growing, and the yin forces of cold are diminishing. That is why the falling snow, as it touches the ground, disappears in a moment.
In such a simple verse, we see the nature of spring, but we also see the quality that underlies all of hokku and all of life: impermanence.
Another verse would express the same thing as the first, but differently:
(Spring)
Through the blooming
Branches of the plum tree,
Snow falling.
Or more smoothly,
Fallling through the branches
Of the blooming plum —
Spring snow.
David
P.S.
In the comments, Br. Nicholas (Bob) shared a photo. WordPress automatically removes photos. I’m placing it here so his comment will not be incomplete:
HOKKU 