The dumpling field: haiku of Issa
A source page for quotes linked to Kobayashi Issa.
“Look, don’t kill that fly! It is making a prayer to you By rubbing its hands and feet”
“In these latter-day, Degenerate times, Cherry-blossoms everywhere!”
“Non scordare: noi camminiamo sopra l’inferno, guardando i fiori.”
“Summer night-- even the stars are whispering to each other.”
“What a strange thing! to be alive beneath cherry blossoms.”
“Where there are humans, You'll find flies, And Buddhas.”
“Don't kill!... The fly is asking you To save his life By rubbing his hands together”
“All the time I pray to Buddha I keep on killing mosquitoes.”
“Don't weep, insects -- Lovers, stars themselves, Must part.”
“In the cherry blossom's shade there's no such thing as a stranger.”
“before the gate -- my walking stick's made a river of melting snow”
“On the Death of his Child Dew Evaporates And all our world is dew...so dear, So fresh, so fleeting”
“Arise from sleep, old cat, And with great yawns and stretchings... Amble out for love”
“In the city fields Contemplating cherry-trees... Strangers are like friends”
“Giddy grasshopper Take care...do not leap and crush These pearls of dewdrop”
“In this world we walk on the roof of hell gazing at flowers”
“Listen, all creeping things, the bell of transience.”