Takaha Shugyo haiku and tanka translations

Takaha Shugyo: seven haiku translations and one tanka

hātogata horarete ichiju haya mebuku

A single tree
with a heart carved into its trunk
blossoms prematurely
―Takaha Shugyo (1930-), loose translation by Michael R. Burch

dôkefuku nugazu tentômushi no shi yo

Still clad in its clown's costume�"
the dead ladybird.
―Takaha Shugyo (1930-), loose translation by Michael R. Burch

ochitsubaki ware naraba kyūryū e otsu

Oh, fallen camellias,
if I were you,
I'd leap into the torrent!
― Takaha Shugyo, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

kari sugishi ato zenten o miseitari

Wild geese pass
leaving the emptiness of heaven
revealed
― Takaha Shugyo, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

kurumi waru kurumi no naka ni tsukawanu heya

Inside the cracked shell
of a walnut:
one empty room
― Takaha Shugyo (1930-), loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Michinoku no hoshiiri tsurara ware ni kure yo

Bring me an icicle
sparkling with the stars
of the deep north
― Takaha Shugyo (1930-), loose translation by Michael R. Burch

matenro yori shinryoku ga paseri hodo

Seen from the skyscraper
the trees' fresh greenery:
sprigs of parsley
― Takaha Shugyo (1930-), loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Our life here on earth:
to what shall we compare it?
It is not like a rowboat
departing at daybreak,
leaving no trace of us in its wake?
― Takaha Shugyo, loose translation by Michael R. Burch

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

thank you for these translations, Michael....i just love the third one.
and within the empty room, an empty man sits.
j.

[Michael R. Burch]

I also like the first haiku, which sounds like contemplation of suicide to me. To be or not to be ...