There is nothing you can see that is not a flower; There is nothing you can think that is not the moon.

I remember getting english homework in junior high that guided us to write our own Haiku’s. The example we were given to follow in the 5-7-5 On (or translated as syllables for writing one in English) was :

A caterpillar,
this deep in fall–

still not a butterfly.

I didn’t know then that the example we were given was of the great and revered Japanese haiku master – Matsuo Bassho. A recent discovery, I hope to delve further into this Master Poet’s work as well as be inspired to read modern Haiku.

So far these three are my favourites by the Master –

Scarecrow in the hillock
Paddy field —
How unaware!  How useful!

The moon about to appear,
all present tonight
with their hands on their knees.

I like to wash,
the dust of this world
In the droplets of dew.

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