Yosa Buson

in the sleety snow.Translated by Robert Hass

he was digging potatoes.Translated by Robert Hass

bent like a sickle.Translated by Robert Hass

the heron’s legs.Translated by Robert Hass

and falling all day.Translated by Robert Hass

under the hazy moon.Translated by Robert Hass

about editors.Translated by Robert Hass

in the east.Translated by Robert Hass

‘The short night–‘The short night–on the hairy caterpillarbeads of dew.The short night–patrolmenwashing in the river.The short night–bubbles of crab frothamong the river reeds.The short night–a broom thrown awayon the beach.The short night–the Oi Riverhas sunk two feet.The short night–on the outskirts of the villagea small shop opening.The short night–broken, in the shallows,a crescent moon.The short…

above the withered fields.Translated by Robert Hass