Writing with Issa (4) "Oh cooling melons!" - July 2, 2014

Today we will be inspired again by Issa, one of my favorite haiku poets.  Knowing as we do, about the tragic aspects of his life, I find that Issa's wonderful light-hearted haiku are especially inspirational. On Chèvrefeuille of Carpe Diem Haiku Kai quotes this lovely poem, with an explanation:

hito kitara kawazu to nare yo hiyashi uri

if anyone comes,
turn into frogs,
o cooling melons!

© Kobayashi Issa

Issa has just put some melons into a tub of water outside the house, to cool them. As they float on the surface of the water, their green bellies remind him of frogs, just at the moment that he has a feeling of hesitation, of uneasiness, at leaving them unguarded. This momentary see-sawing of the mind makes the notion of melons turning into frogs more than merely fanciful. The humour also, joins where it seems to separate.

And another Issa haiku follows:

 Another haiku on melons by Issa is the following:

nusubito no miru to mo shirade hiyashi uri

oblivious
of the gaze of the thief. -
melons in cool

© Kobayashi Issa

Here is our Chèvrefeuile's haiku:

cooling down
together with the melons
I take a bath

© Chèvrefeuille

In Italy, summer time means prosciutto ham sliced paper thin and honey-dew melon:

Senryu

 

fresh honey-dew melons
warmed in prosciutto blankets
no goose bumps tonight

© G.s.k. '14

Summer time is also the time of Arco's watermelon fests, the city council provides music and free watermelon for all:

Haiku

Arco's summer fests
merry dancing in the streets
cooled watermelon

© G.s.k. '14