Standing unsteadily,
I am the scarecrow’s
skinny surrogate
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
|
Petals I amass
with such tenderness
prick me to the quick.
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
|
In a better world
I'd leave you my rice bowl,
little fly!
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
|
I toss in my sleep,
so watch out,
cricket!
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
|
Skinny frog,
hang on ...
Issa to the rescue!
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
|
An enormous frog!
We stare at each other,
both petrified.
—Kobayashi Issa, loose translation by Michael R. Burch
|