1819
.なまけるや翌も花あり月有と
namakeru ya asu mo hana ari tsuki ari to
lazy--
leaving blossoms and moon
for tomorrow
This haiku contains conflicting season words: blossoms (spring) and moon (autumn). Together, they symbolize the haiku poet's way of life. Feeling lazy, Issa decides that tomorrow the blossoms and moon will still be there, and with that consolation decides not to go out and write haiku. Ironically, this decision not to write a poem produces this one!
All translations © 1991-2010 by David G. Lanoue, rights reserved.