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Read a number of these in his lovely book, Haiku: This Other World today as well. I am beginning to think that might be the mark of a true writer, versatility across genres, facility with words first and foremost. Near the end of his life, Wright wrote over 4000 haiku; this collection is the 817 he preferred. This one jumped out—one day I may put it on a memorial stone for Balthazar:
The cat's shining eyes
Are remarkably blue
Beside the jonquils.
I have thoroughly enjoyed Robert Hass' book, The Essential Haiku. I especially like the section, "Basho on Poetry" which is an assemblage of pithy wisdoms that can apply to far more writing than haiku.
Here's one that stood out:
"Make the universe your companion, always bearing in mind the true nature of things—mountains and rivers, trees and grasses, and humanity—and enjoy the falling blossoms and the scattering leaves."
It really is quite simple, isn't it?
Here's are some little lovelies from The Sound of Water, translated by Sam Hamill.
Basho:
Heard, not seen,
the camellia poured rainwater
when it leaned
The morning glories
bloom, securing the gate
in the old fence
Come out to view
the truth of flowers blooming
in poverty
Buson:
Sweet springtime showers
and no words can express
how sad it all is
In seasonal rain
along a nameless river
fear too has no name
Pure white plum blossoms
slowly begin to turn
the color of dawn
Issa:
Before I arrived
Who were the people living here?
Only violets remain.
This world of dew
is only a world of dew—
and yet
Moritake:
Those falling blossoms
all return to the branch when
I watch butterflies
Kikaku:
A single yam leaf
contains the entire life
of a water drop
Ransetsu:
All by itself,
that beautiful melon,
entirely self-sufficient
Kakei:
At the break of dawn
the well-bucket reels in
a camellia bloom
Chiyo:
Since morning glories
hold my well-bucket hostage,
I beg for water
Fuhaku:
So very still, even
cherry blossoms are not stirred
by the temple bell
Socho:
The moon this evening
and in the whole wide sky
not a trace of cloud
Shiki:
The full moon ringed
by these innumerable stars,
and the sky deep green
Anonymous:
To learn how to die
watch cherry blossoms, observe
chrysanthemums
