Autumn Haiku

Translated by Jane Reichhold
Arranged in Saijiki fashion

Autumn

harvest moon
northland weather
uncertain skies

viewing the moon
no one at the party
has such a beautiful face

chrysanthemum's scent
in the garden a worn-out sandal
just the sole

speaking out
my lips are cold
in autumn wind

along this road
going with no one
autumn evening

on a bare branch
a crow has settled
autumn dusk

in the cow shed
mosquito's voice darkens
lingering heat

the cruelty
of being under a helmet
a cricket

white chrysanthemum
catching in one's eye
nary a speck of dust

a strange flower
for birds and butterflies
the autumn sky

autumn coolness
hand and hand paring away
eggplants -- cucumbers

ear of the pine tree
mushroom on a strange tree
with a leaf stuck to it

borrowing sleep
from the scarecrow's sleeves
midnight frost

after the flowers
all there is left for my haiku
wisteria beans

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