Winter Haiku 12-15-20
Dec. 24th, 2020 11:24 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis batch of poems was written outside the regular prompt calls. They are presented here as a holiday gift for Anthony and Shirley Barrette. This batch is the fourth of five seasonal sets of haiku based on my favorite kigo page. Begin with the spring, summer, and autumn batches.
Winter -- The Season
fuyuzare
winter's the season
of withering -- plants, people,
all diminishing
* * *
koharu
indian summer --
the little spring that lies and
lures fools to frolic
* * *
toshi no kure
the close of the year
comes at midwinter, softly
drawing the door shut
* * *
yuku toshi
the passing year goes --
the sound of a kimono
over tatami
* * *
toshi no yo
New Year's Eve has come:
the next twelve months open like
a row of windows
* * *
kan no uchi
though I have shoveled
the walk, snow is still falling --
the cold time is hard
* * *
tanjitsu
the short days mean that
the sun has set but there is
still work to be done
* * *
fuyu no yo
the long winter night
provides plenty of time for
couples to cuddle
* * *
tsumetashi
the cold of winter
affects everything: tools snap
and ice fills buckets
* * *
samushi
the cold weather drives
man and beast indoors, seeking
refuge from the wind
* * *
sayuru
clear and cold, the sky
is faded blue silk above
the ground of gray wool
* * *
itsuru
winter -- a hard freeze
limns everything in silver,
dangerous beauty
* * *
haru chikashi
when it's nearly spring,
the last of winter yet clings,
unwilling to go
* * *
setsubun
last day of winter
drives devils out of the house,
welcoming good luck
* * *
Winter -- The Heavens
fuyubare
a clear winter day
means time to do chores before
the snow flies again
* * *
fuyu no tsuki
winter moon peeks out
between clouds like a maiden
scared to show her face
kogarashi
down from the mountains
comes the tree-withering wind
killing everything
* * *
kita
the north wind sings of
frozen things like curios
in a museum
* * *
shigure
a winter shower
mists everything with water
that turns to thin ice
* * *
fuyu no ame
the bright sound of chimes --
winter rain falling on ice
makes its fey music
* * *
arare
snow pellets fall down
like tea of white dragon pearls
in a cup of ice
* * *
mizore
sleet pattering on
the roof wakes me in the night --
still hours to dawn
* * *
shimo
frost is a master,
painting cold calligraphy
with a silver brush
* * *
hatsuyuki
in every winter,
there can be but one first snow,
a fleeting wonder
* * *
yuki
everyone wonders
will it snow today? will it?
ah ... if she pleases
* * *
kazahana
snowflakes form high up
and then drift down from the clouds
as soft wind-flowers
* * *
Winter -- The Earth
fuyu no yama
the winter mountains
reflect the drifted plains -- snow
rising over snow
* * *
kareno
withered fields stretch out
toward the horizon, barren
in the cold season
* * *
fuyuta
winter paddies sleep
under a blanket of snow
dreaming of the spring
* * *
mizu karu
water dried up in
ditches, red clay wrinkled like
an old woman's lips
* * *
koori
unexpected rain
coats the front steps in thin ice --
wah! away I go!
* * *
tsurara
icicles on eaves
hanging like the temple chimes
play winter's music
* * *
Winter -- Humanity
futon
two quilts on the floor
create a warm place to sleep --
shoo, cat! this is mine!
* * *
zoosui
on a cold morning,
hot porridge made from brown rice
warms up the body
* * *
fuyugomori
all the roads are closed
and the snow hugs the houses:
winter seclusion
* * *
sumi
charcoal everywhere --
coal in the stove, dust drifting,
treetrunks like black streaks
* * *
ro
the fireplace is
the center of life and light
in the dark season
* * *
hibachi
here in my workshop
I keep a small brazier lit:
warm hands while I work
* * *
kari
the young men go out
in the winter woods to hunt
deer and hare for food
* * *
ajiro
the wicker fishnet
takes time to make, but when it's
done -- delicious fish!
* * *
takibi
the bonfire roars
high above the icy plain
driving back the cold
* * *
tanbai
the plum blossoms are
probably blooming by now,
so we go searching
* * *
takeuma
children walk on stilts --
I recall what it's like to
ride the bamboo horse
* * *
toshi wasure
one night of rice wine
and wild revels leads to
forgetting the year
* * *
Winter -- Observances
toshi no ichi
year-market opens
full of decorations and
toys for the New Year
* * *
bashooki
we all gather for
Bashô's Memorial Day
and read poetry
* * *
busonki
we honor Buson
on his Memorial Day
by writing haiku
* * *
Winter -- Animals
taka
all winter, the hawk
circles over frozen plains
searching for its prey
* * *
kansuzume
cold sparrows huddle
together for warmth against
the winds of winter
* * *
kangarasu
fluffed to twice his size,
the cold crow complains about
snow like an old man
* * *
mizutori
waterfowl circle
inside the shrinking water
surrounded by ice
* * *
kamo
wild ducks quacking
in the canebrake sound almost
like small dogs barking
* * *
oshidori
the mandarin ducks
in their drab winter coats are
seeking hollow trees
* * *
chidori
along the cold beach,
sand pipers still leave their tracks
pointing to the wind
* * *
kaitsuburi
in the dry rushes
the grebe almost disappears
except for red eyes
* * *
buri
the yellowtail fish
fill the market tables now
delightful to eat
* * *
fugu
the blowfish puffs up
like a cloud about to storm
sharp and ominous
* * *
kangoi
golden carp are cold
too sluggish to eat, they swim
like waterlogged sparks
* * *
kanbuna
the pond is frozen,
but somewhere under the ice
are cold silver carp
* * *
namako
the sea cucumbers
show their colors, like rainbows
under the water
* * *
kaki
scoop them in buckets,
crack them open one by one:
oyster, oyster -- pearl!
* * *
fuyu no hae
despite the cold air
one bug buzzes the lantern,
the last winter fly
* * *
watamushi
brought home from a trip,
the bedbugs nibble and itch
sleeping in our beds
* * *
Winter -- Plants
soobai
early plum blossoms
dot the naked branches of
the winter orchard
* * *
kaeribana
returning flowers
peek through the melting snowdrifts
purple, yellow, white
* * *
kantsubaki
winter camellia
bursts into blossom, wearing
ice like a bright crown
* * *
sazanka
close to camellia
but not quite, sazanka blooms
red against white snow
* * *
cha no hana
tea flowers open
all over the mountainside
pale lace on dark robes
* * *
senryoo
hermit smartweed lifts
green leaves and bright red berries
from the wet black ground
* * *
manryoo
spearflower sprouting
by the path to the temple
stands for good fortune
* * *
nanten no mi
the nandin berries
growing in the front garden
drive evil away
* * *
ko no ha
tree leaves in branches
let go one by one, falling
through the winter wind
* * *
ochiba
on the winter ground,
fallen leaves form a blanket,
brown turning to black
* * *
fuyu kodachi
winter grove -- silent
as the falling snow until
wind begins to blow
* * *
kangiku
cold chrysanthemums
bow under snow like women
chatting under shawls
* * *
suisen
narcissus blooming --
their green leaves like little swords --
yellow lace flowers
* * *
karegiku
the faded garden
waits for the end of winter:
dry grass, withered mums
* * *
karehasu
around the pond's edge
the withered lotus bows low
like elderly monks
* * *
fuyuna
the winter greens grow
even under snow, waiting
to become salads
* * *
negi
the pungent onions
hang in braids from the rafters
and make spicy soup
* * *
daikon
Japanese radish
sits in its jars, fermenting --
salty, sour, sweet
* * *
kabu
digging up turnips
from frozen ground is hard work
but they taste so good
* * *
fuyu kusa
over the valleys,
winter grasses and forbs
lie in yellow waves
* * *
kareashi
around the lakeshore,
withered reeds rub together
like bony fingers
* * *
kareobana
withered pampas grass
folds itself over the fields,
a fallow crosshatch
* * *
karemugura
beside the pathway
withered burweed sheds its seeds
all over my robes
* * *
yabukooji
spearflower belongs
to red-berries-green-leaves clan,
guardian of doors
* * *
Notes:
This batch is long, so its notes appear elsewhere.
Winter -- The Season
fuyuzare
winter's the season
of withering -- plants, people,
all diminishing
* * *
koharu
indian summer --
the little spring that lies and
lures fools to frolic
* * *
toshi no kure
the close of the year
comes at midwinter, softly
drawing the door shut
* * *
yuku toshi
the passing year goes --
the sound of a kimono
over tatami
* * *
toshi no yo
New Year's Eve has come:
the next twelve months open like
a row of windows
* * *
kan no uchi
though I have shoveled
the walk, snow is still falling --
the cold time is hard
* * *
tanjitsu
the short days mean that
the sun has set but there is
still work to be done
* * *
fuyu no yo
the long winter night
provides plenty of time for
couples to cuddle
* * *
tsumetashi
the cold of winter
affects everything: tools snap
and ice fills buckets
* * *
samushi
the cold weather drives
man and beast indoors, seeking
refuge from the wind
* * *
sayuru
clear and cold, the sky
is faded blue silk above
the ground of gray wool
* * *
itsuru
winter -- a hard freeze
limns everything in silver,
dangerous beauty
* * *
haru chikashi
when it's nearly spring,
the last of winter yet clings,
unwilling to go
* * *
setsubun
last day of winter
drives devils out of the house,
welcoming good luck
* * *
Winter -- The Heavens
fuyubare
a clear winter day
means time to do chores before
the snow flies again
* * *
fuyu no tsuki
winter moon peeks out
between clouds like a maiden
scared to show her face
kogarashi
down from the mountains
comes the tree-withering wind
killing everything
* * *
kita
the north wind sings of
frozen things like curios
in a museum
* * *
shigure
a winter shower
mists everything with water
that turns to thin ice
* * *
fuyu no ame
the bright sound of chimes --
winter rain falling on ice
makes its fey music
* * *
arare
snow pellets fall down
like tea of white dragon pearls
in a cup of ice
* * *
mizore
sleet pattering on
the roof wakes me in the night --
still hours to dawn
* * *
shimo
frost is a master,
painting cold calligraphy
with a silver brush
* * *
hatsuyuki
in every winter,
there can be but one first snow,
a fleeting wonder
* * *
yuki
everyone wonders
will it snow today? will it?
ah ... if she pleases
* * *
kazahana
snowflakes form high up
and then drift down from the clouds
as soft wind-flowers
* * *
Winter -- The Earth
fuyu no yama
the winter mountains
reflect the drifted plains -- snow
rising over snow
* * *
kareno
withered fields stretch out
toward the horizon, barren
in the cold season
* * *
fuyuta
winter paddies sleep
under a blanket of snow
dreaming of the spring
* * *
mizu karu
water dried up in
ditches, red clay wrinkled like
an old woman's lips
* * *
koori
unexpected rain
coats the front steps in thin ice --
wah! away I go!
* * *
tsurara
icicles on eaves
hanging like the temple chimes
play winter's music
* * *
Winter -- Humanity
futon
two quilts on the floor
create a warm place to sleep --
shoo, cat! this is mine!
* * *
zoosui
on a cold morning,
hot porridge made from brown rice
warms up the body
* * *
fuyugomori
all the roads are closed
and the snow hugs the houses:
winter seclusion
* * *
sumi
charcoal everywhere --
coal in the stove, dust drifting,
treetrunks like black streaks
* * *
ro
the fireplace is
the center of life and light
in the dark season
* * *
hibachi
here in my workshop
I keep a small brazier lit:
warm hands while I work
* * *
kari
the young men go out
in the winter woods to hunt
deer and hare for food
* * *
ajiro
the wicker fishnet
takes time to make, but when it's
done -- delicious fish!
* * *
takibi
the bonfire roars
high above the icy plain
driving back the cold
* * *
tanbai
the plum blossoms are
probably blooming by now,
so we go searching
* * *
takeuma
children walk on stilts --
I recall what it's like to
ride the bamboo horse
* * *
toshi wasure
one night of rice wine
and wild revels leads to
forgetting the year
* * *
Winter -- Observances
toshi no ichi
year-market opens
full of decorations and
toys for the New Year
* * *
bashooki
we all gather for
Bashô's Memorial Day
and read poetry
* * *
busonki
we honor Buson
on his Memorial Day
by writing haiku
* * *
Winter -- Animals
taka
all winter, the hawk
circles over frozen plains
searching for its prey
* * *
kansuzume
cold sparrows huddle
together for warmth against
the winds of winter
* * *
kangarasu
fluffed to twice his size,
the cold crow complains about
snow like an old man
* * *
mizutori
waterfowl circle
inside the shrinking water
surrounded by ice
* * *
kamo
wild ducks quacking
in the canebrake sound almost
like small dogs barking
* * *
oshidori
the mandarin ducks
in their drab winter coats are
seeking hollow trees
* * *
chidori
along the cold beach,
sand pipers still leave their tracks
pointing to the wind
* * *
kaitsuburi
in the dry rushes
the grebe almost disappears
except for red eyes
* * *
buri
the yellowtail fish
fill the market tables now
delightful to eat
* * *
fugu
the blowfish puffs up
like a cloud about to storm
sharp and ominous
* * *
kangoi
golden carp are cold
too sluggish to eat, they swim
like waterlogged sparks
* * *
kanbuna
the pond is frozen,
but somewhere under the ice
are cold silver carp
* * *
namako
the sea cucumbers
show their colors, like rainbows
under the water
* * *
kaki
scoop them in buckets,
crack them open one by one:
oyster, oyster -- pearl!
* * *
fuyu no hae
despite the cold air
one bug buzzes the lantern,
the last winter fly
* * *
watamushi
brought home from a trip,
the bedbugs nibble and itch
sleeping in our beds
* * *
Winter -- Plants
soobai
early plum blossoms
dot the naked branches of
the winter orchard
* * *
kaeribana
returning flowers
peek through the melting snowdrifts
purple, yellow, white
* * *
kantsubaki
winter camellia
bursts into blossom, wearing
ice like a bright crown
* * *
sazanka
close to camellia
but not quite, sazanka blooms
red against white snow
* * *
cha no hana
tea flowers open
all over the mountainside
pale lace on dark robes
* * *
senryoo
hermit smartweed lifts
green leaves and bright red berries
from the wet black ground
* * *
manryoo
spearflower sprouting
by the path to the temple
stands for good fortune
* * *
nanten no mi
the nandin berries
growing in the front garden
drive evil away
* * *
ko no ha
tree leaves in branches
let go one by one, falling
through the winter wind
* * *
ochiba
on the winter ground,
fallen leaves form a blanket,
brown turning to black
* * *
fuyu kodachi
winter grove -- silent
as the falling snow until
wind begins to blow
* * *
kangiku
cold chrysanthemums
bow under snow like women
chatting under shawls
* * *
suisen
narcissus blooming --
their green leaves like little swords --
yellow lace flowers
* * *
karegiku
the faded garden
waits for the end of winter:
dry grass, withered mums
* * *
karehasu
around the pond's edge
the withered lotus bows low
like elderly monks
* * *
fuyuna
the winter greens grow
even under snow, waiting
to become salads
* * *
negi
the pungent onions
hang in braids from the rafters
and make spicy soup
* * *
daikon
Japanese radish
sits in its jars, fermenting --
salty, sour, sweet
* * *
kabu
digging up turnips
from frozen ground is hard work
but they taste so good
* * *
fuyu kusa
over the valleys,
winter grasses and forbs
lie in yellow waves
* * *
kareashi
around the lakeshore,
withered reeds rub together
like bony fingers
* * *
kareobana
withered pampas grass
folds itself over the fields,
a fallow crosshatch
* * *
karemugura
beside the pathway
withered burweed sheds its seeds
all over my robes
* * *
yabukooji
spearflower belongs
to red-berries-green-leaves clan,
guardian of doors
* * *
Notes:
This batch is long, so its notes appear elsewhere.
