The following are two translations of a haiku by Basho that caught my attention. The reversal is what made me stop and consider it.
No. 7
rabbit-ear iris
how much it looks like
its image in water
-- Basho --
from Basho: The Complete Haiku
Trans. Jane Reichold
No. 6
blue flag irises
looking just like their images
in the water
-- Basho --
from Basho's Haiku: Selected Poems of Matsuo Basho
Trans. David Landis Barnhill
It is so common to read how closely the reflection in the water resembled the object that the reversal made me stop and think. This is one of those moments when words fail, which makes it a rare haiku.
Showing posts with label Basho's Haiku: Selected Poems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basho's Haiku: Selected Poems. Show all posts
Friday, July 22, 2016
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