A Year of Haiku

SPRING

Shiranui (unknown light)

That feeling inside
soft as the winter light which 
collects in shadows

Shigururu (it’s raining/drizzling)

Rain falls on the roof 
the dog has forgotten that 
summer will return 

Kari wataru (geese migrate)

Wild geese fly over 
In three days they will reach you 
the sun in their wings

SUMMER

5 a.m. Sunday morning 
We split open ripe haiku
Lick them from each other’s mouths


Korogi (cricket)

Cricket in the heat 
stops temporarily 
to count syllables.


Aki no kure (autumn dusk)

But for this moment, 
I would never have seen her—
green heron at dusk. 

FALL

Zansho (lingering summer heat)

It is still too hot.
Summer refuses to leave,
hides under my bed. 


Nowaki (autumn storm)

You always forgive
the wind’s storms and silences.
Will you forgive me?


Difficult to see 
the path when someone else 
is holding the flashlight 

WINTER

The moon 
does not ask for anything. 
The stars do not disappoint her. 


Black winter night 
Ocean heavy with ice
Still the moon pulls it


Nagaki yo (long night)

The sleeping dog snores 
At least temporarily 
someone is content 

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