At Next Corner

Poetry by Basho A  bee A bee staggers out of the peony. Matsuo Basho A caterpillar A caterpillar, this deep in fall still not a butterfly. Matsuo Basho A cicada shell A cicada shell; it sang itself utterly away. Matsuo Basho A cool fall night At a hermitage: A cool fall night getting dinner, we peeled eggplants, cucumbers. Matsuo Basho A field of cotton A field of cotton as if the moon had flowered. Matsuo Basho A monk sips morning tea A monk sips morning tea, it’s quiet, the chrysanthemum’s flowering. Matsuo Basho A snowy morning A snowy morning by myself, chewing on dried salmon. Matsuo Basho Autumn moonlight Autumn moonlight a worm digs silently into the chestnut. Matsuo Basho Awake at night Awake at night the sound of the water jar cracking in the cold. Matsuo Basho Bitter–tasting ice Bitter–tasting ice Just enough to wet the throat Of a sewer rat. Matsuo Basho Blowing stones Blowing stones along the roa