Sleep on horseback

Sleep on horseback,
The far moon in a continuing dream,
Steam of roasting tea.

poem by Matsuo Basho
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Midfield

Midfield,
attached to nothing,
the skylark singing.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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As they begin to rise again

As they begin to rise again
Chrysanthemums faintly smell,
After the flooding rain

poem by Matsuo Basho
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On Buddha's deathday

On Buddha's deathday,
wrinkled tough old hands pray –
the prayer beads' sound

poem by Matsuo Basho
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Stillness

Stillness--
the cicada's cry
drills into the rocks.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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A snowy morning

A snowy morning--
by myself,
chewing on dried salmon.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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The morning glory also

The morning glory also
turns out
not to be my friend.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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The dragonfly

The dragonfly
can't quite land
on that blade of grass.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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Bush warbler

Bush warbler:
shits on the rice cakes
on the porch rail.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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A caterpillar

A caterpillar,
this deep in fall--
still not a butterfly.

Translated by Robert Hass

poem by Matsuo Basho
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