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
