Kobayashi Issa
In the thickets shade
In the thicket's shadea woman by herselfsinging the rice-planting song
Even on the smallest islands
Even on the smallest islands,they are tilling the fields,skylarks singing
That pretty girl
That pretty girl—munching and rustlingthe wrapped-up rice cake
It once happened
It once happenedthat a child was spared punishmentthrough earnest solicitation
No doubt about it
No doubt about it,the mountain cuckoois a crybaby
Translated by Robert Hass
Not knowing
Not knowingit's a tub they're inthe fish cooling at the gate
Translated by Robert Hass
These sea slugs
These sea slugs -they just don't
Japanese
The crow
The crowwalks along thereas if it were tilling the field
Translated by Robert Hass
The man pulling radishes
The man pulling radishespointed my waywith a radish
Last time I think
Last time,
I think,
I'll brush the fliesfrom my father's face
Translated by Robert Hass
Not very anxious
Not very anxiousto bloom,my plum tree
Translated by Robert Hass
New Years Day
New Year's Day—everything is in blossom
I feel about average