Green Growth [Haiku]

spring rains green
the fort's horizonal and
its vertical.

Greening Rains [Haiku]

the soil is soggy
from persistent spring rains,
but, in sun, greens glow.

Five Seasonal Poems of Miura Chora [w/ Audio]

NEW YEAR

New Year's Day:
the ancient voice of a
nightingale.

SPRING

idyllic nights
and quiet days:
spring rains.

SUMMER

cold water, and
a couple of rice cakes:
it's summertime.

AUTUMN

morning glories
are tousled by
Autumn winds.

WINTER

lingering wind
and snow fall
upon me.

Rain Begins [Haiku]

rain patters
onto the leaves overhead:
spring rain is here!

“Butterflies in Love with Flowers” by Zhu Shuzhen [w/ Audio]

Thousands of willow twigs beyond my bower sway;
They try to retain spring, but she won't stay
For long and goes away.
In vernal breeze the willow down still wafts with grace;
It tries to follow spring to find her dwelling place.
Hills and rills greened all over, I hear cuckoos sing;
Feeling no grief, why should they give me a sharp sting?
With wine cup in hand, I ask spring who won't reply.
When evening grizzles,
A cold rain drizzles.

Translation: Xu Yuanchong [translator]. 2021. Deep, Deep the Courtyard. [庭院深深.] Cite Publishing: Kuala Lumpur, pp. 146-147.

Spring Rain [Haiku]

sweet rain scent, &
sound of spatter on leaves, &
one drop on the face.

Green Fields [Haiku]

the rice fields 
are at their most verdant;
scent of rain.

Four Seasonal Haiku of Ryōkan [w/ Audio]

Spring

rainy days
make the monk Ryōkan
feel sad.

Summer

the moon in my window
is all the thief left behind.

Autumn

an autumn wind
chills the dangling persimmons,
and my testicles.

Winter

little birds have
gathered in the brushwood
on a snowy morn.

Four Seasonal Haiku of Sōgi [w/ Audio]

SPRING

Despite the storm,
Spring's herald makes it through:
Scent of plum blossom.

SUMMER

Abundant fireflies
This year, but this morning
None are to be seen.

AUTUMN

Autumn sea:
A boat moves, leaf-like,
In the floating world.

WINTER

Winter rains
Cross the mountains
On rising clouds.

Four Seasonal Haiku of Masaoka Shiki [w/ Audio]

SPRING

on wet feet,
the sparrows hop
down the hall.

SUMMER

the owl naps,
and dreams of a
summer grove.

AUTUMN

sunny autumn day:
smoke from something burning
rises skyward.

WINTER

a snowy night;
the sound of bamboo
rustling.