PLUM BLOSSOM HAIKUA Poem by Michael R. BurchThese are my modern English translations of haiku about plum blossoms, plums and plum trees.
These are my modern English translations of haiku about plum blossoms, plums and plum trees. In Japanese poetry the plum ("ume") is associated with spring and good fortune; plum trees were often planted to ward off bad luck. Plum blossoms are widely loved and appreciated by the Japanese people; they symbolize refinement, purity, nobility and the remembrance of love.
Picking autumn plums my wrinkled hands once again grow fragrant ―Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Clinging to the plum tree: one blossom's worth of warmth… ―Hattori Ransetsu, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch On adjacent branches the plum tree blossoms bloom petal by petal―love! ― Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch White plum blossoms― though the hour grows late, a glimpse of dawn ―Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch; this is believed to be Buson's death poem and he is said to have died before dawn Lately the nights dawn plum-blossom white. ―Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation of his jisei (death poem) by Michael R. Burch A shy maiden: the loveliness of the lone plum blossoming ―Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Longing for plum blossoms: bowing before the deutzia, weeping. ―Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Moonlit plum tree, tarry! Spring will return soon. ―Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The plum blossom’s fragrance warms winter’s frigid embrace. �"Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch White plum blossoms: have the cranes gone undercover? �"Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Suddenly, the scent of plums on a mountain path: sunrise! �"Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Warm sun unfolds the plum blossom’s scent: a mountain path. �"Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The fragrance of plum blossoms on a foggy path: the sun rising. �"Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The plum in full bloom must not be disturbed by the wind. �"Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The plum's fragrance: the past holds such pathos. �"Matsuo Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Are you the butterfly and I the dreaming heart of Soshi? �"Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch kimi ya cho / ware ya shoshi no / yume gokoro The poem above is a reference to a butterfly dream of Chuang Tzu, a Taoist sage and poet who was a major influence on Basho. Soshi is the Japanese rendering of the name Chuang Tzu. I believe what Basho may have meant is something closer to this: Are you the butterfly while I pursue dreams of Soshi? �"Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Are you the butterfly while in my dreams I flit after Soshi? �"Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch It's not at all anxious to bloom, the plum tree at my gate. ―Kobayashi Issa, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The red plum's fallen petals seem to ignite horse s**t. ―Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Intruder!― This white plum tree was once outside our fence! ―Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The white poppy accepts the butterfly's broken wing as a keepsake �"Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch shirageshi ni / hane mogu cho no / katami kana As autumn deepens a butterfly sips chrysanthemum dew �"Basho, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch aki o hete / cho mo nameru ya / kiku no tsuyu The translation above is slated to be published by Emma Burleigh in her book "Earth Color." A single leaf of paulownia falling reflects the sun. �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch I caught a falling cherry petal; but opening my fist ... nothing �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch They call it a white peony yet it contains hints of red �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Evening shadows grow thick on the floating algae �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The snake slithered away yet his eyes, having met mine, remained �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch The bamboo grove is lit by the yellow spring sunlight �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Chikurin ni/ Ki naru haruhi wo/ Aogikeri On a hot summer night dreams and reality merge. �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Mizika-yo ya/ Yume mo utsutsu mo / Onazi koto The summer butterfly has to look sharp to make its getaway. �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Natsu no cho/ Manako surudoku/ Kakeri kishi The autumn sky is severed by the big chinquapin tree. �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Akizora wo/ Futatsu ni tateri/ Shii-taiju “Cawa-cawa!” The winter crow elocutes coarsely. �"Takahama Kyoshi, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Kawa kawa to/ Ookiku yuruku/ Samu-garasu You rise with the sun, mysteriously warm, also scattering sunbeams. �"Michael R. Burch As springs’ budding blossoms emerge the raptors glide mercilessly. �"Michael R. Burch I wrote this haiku-like poem above on 3-27-2023 after the Nashville Covenant school massacre.�"Michael R. Burch Incomprehensible by Michael R. Burch “Slain” �" an impossible word to comprehend. The male lion murders cubs, licks his lips, devours them. Her sky-high promises: midday moon �"Michael R. Burch The north wind’s refrain, a southbound train ... Invitation? �"Michael R. Burch The north wind’s refrain, the receding strain of a southbound train ... Invitation? �"Michael R. Burch The moon blushed then fled behind a cloud: her stolen kiss. �"Michael R. Burch Elderly sunflowers: bees trimming their beards. �"Michael R. Burch Keywords/Tags: haiku, translation, Japanese, Japan, Oriental, plum, plums, plum blossom, plum blossoms, plum trees, spring, good luck, good fortune, love, purity, refinement, nobility © 2023 Michael R. Burch |
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1 Review Added on May 30, 2023 Last Updated on May 30, 2023 Tags: haiku, translation, Japanese, Japan, Oriental, plum, plums, plum blossom, plum blossoms, plum trees, spring, good luck, good fortune, love, purity, refinement, nobility Author
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