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Regret that dropping sun’s dusk;
Love this cold stream’s clearness.
Western beams follow flowing water;
Stir a ripple in wandering person’s mind.
Idly sing, gazing at cloudy moon;
Song done—sound of tall pines 
~ Li Po  (Translated: Arthur Waley, The Poet Li Po The Project Gutenberg
Nikon D750 f/3.2 1/1600s 40mm

Pale green night and flowers all melting into one 
    in the soft haze–
Everywhere the moon, glimmering in the Spring night ~The Sarashina Diary (cited: Court Ladies of Old Japan)

Nikon 750 f/3.2 1/1600s 40mm

Wait on, never forsake your hope, 
For when the plum-tree is in flower 
Even the unpromised, the unexpected, will come to you. ~The Sarashina Diary (cited: Court Ladies of Old Japan)

Nikon D750 f/3.5 1/800 40mm

morning-glories
softly floating…
in the teacup ~Issa (cited: haikuguy.com)

Nikon D750 f/3.5 1/1000s 40mm

Hop on over to Leya‘s to share your interpretation of Soft

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the neighborhood’s
relaxation spot…
the tree’s deep shade ~Issa (cited: haikuguy.com)

hazy night–
people listening
to heavenly music ~Issa (cited: haikuguy.com)

the mountain bees, too
yearn to live there…
town of people ~Issa (cited: haikuguy.com)

A historical journey through my neighborhood…images and haiku posted in response to this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge: Found in the Neighborhood.

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O Sun that rose in the eastern corner of Earth,

Looking as though you came from under the ground,

When you crossed the sky and entered the deep sea,

Where did you stable your six dragon-steeds?

Now and of old your journeys have never ceased:

… ~Li Po (cited: gutenberg.org)

morning’s sun

I did not sleep, gazing at the moon all night 
But the dawning of the day 
Was in whiteness of hoar-frost. ~Izumi Shikibu (cited: Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan)

morning’s light

the early sun
reaches the valley…
roses of Sharon ~Issa (cited: haikuguy.com)

morning’s light

Anvica’s Gallery is hosting this week’s lens-artist’s photo challenge: the sun will come out tomorrow

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amid dewdrops

of this dewdrop world

a shoe lost

it’s a dewdrop world

surely it is…

yes…but

~Issa (cited: haikuguy.com)

trailed of clouds

the layered memories

of time forever gone

stands between us now

within dewdrops of autumn

Initially posted on October 9, 2019

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“I’ve waited for you

for a long time” – for your song,

my mountain cuckoo   ~Issa*

wordpresssaturation (1)

This week, show us a photo of whatever you’d like, but make sure it’s saturated. It can be black and white, a single color, a few hues, or a complete rainbow riot; just make sure it’s rich and powerful. Let’s turn the comments into an instant mood-booster!

Visit WordPress’ weekly photo challenge to view additional images created specifically for the concept of saturated

Initially posted on September 27, 2013

 *cited in:

The Spring of my Life

Trans: Sam Hamill

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stillness–
in the depths of the lake
billowing clouds ~Issa (cited: haikuguy.com)

Nikon D750 f/8 1/500s 170mm 400 ISO edited: Capture One

In response to this haiku, David (haikuguy.com) writes:

” Even though Issa is known for his comic haiku that have surprising, spiritual resonance; he is just as capable of revealing the sublime. French translator Jean Cholley translates the first word, shizukasa, as “sérénité” (“serenity”); En village de miséreux: Choix de poèmes de Kobayashi Issa (Paris: Gallimard, 1996) 33. Indeed, shizukasa denotes tranquility, quiet, calm. Of English possibilities, I’ve decided to use “stillness”–but the reader should be aware that Issa establishes a sense of deep peace before showing billowing mountains of clouds reflected “in the depths of the lake.” The haiku serves as a substitute for experience–or, perhaps, a clear window into experience–allowing the reader, in contemplation, to see that same lake, those same clouds, and to feel the serenity and stillness of the moment.”