Haikus to feel to

Haikus is a traditional art of short poetry started by Buddhist monks in Japan. The spiritual art form emphasises being in the moment, and the brevity of 3 lines, reflects Zen philosophy.

Masaoka Shiki

My life, –

How much more of it remains?

The night is brief.

Toward those short trees

We saw a hawk descending

On a day in spring.

Kobayahsi Issa

Don’t weep, insects –

Lovers, stars themselves,

Must part.

The wren

Earns his living

Noiselessly.

Winter seclusion –

Listening, that evening,

To the rain in the mountain.

Yosa Buson

Old well,

a fish leaps-

dark sound.

Blowing from the west

Fallen leaves gather

In the east.

Natsume Soseki

Over the wintry

forest, winds howl in rage

with no leaves to blow.

The lamp once out

Cool stars enter

The window frame.

Basho Matsuo

Along this road

Goes no one,

This autumn eve

Old pond

A frog jumps in –

The sound of water

From time to time


The clouds give rest


To the moon-beholders.

The summer grasses

All that remains

Of brave soldiers dreams

Lynn Crosbie

the flowers are a

venus-flytrap, with red curls

flames and noxious breath

I’ll sue him and write

and build a home, in the

desert, on the sun

Kato Shuson

I kill an ant

and realize my three children

have been watching.

By Gray, L.