Monday, February 21, 2011

A Cold Rain Starting

A cold rain starting
And no hat --
So? 



Matsuo Basho 




This is a haiku by the famous samurai poet Basho. Much like a renaissance man samurai were supposed to be excellent warriors as well as skilled in other areas such as art and poetry. I like this poem because it is low key and mello. I think in the translation it lost the rhythm aspect of haiku's but as Basho said "So?" I like Basho's calm attitude towards what the world gives him. He takes it all it in stride and is able to enjoy life.

2 comments:

Jesse said...

how is this a haiku? isn't it supposed to go 5, 7, 5?

Anonymous said...

Jesse-I believe the discrepancy may have to do with translation. I do not know Japanese but perhaps when translated it fits the criteria of 17 total syllables. ??? Just a thought...
-Mrs. C