It's remarkable how suggestive and open to interpretation haiku can be in the hands of a haiku master such as Yosa Bosan. I choose to interpret the exquisite little poem below in terms of human relationships, rather than anything else - that is, somebody elderly finding intimacy again with somebody slightly younger and being reinvigorated by the experience. Of course, that is just my interpretation because it resonates that way with my life just now. And many other interpretations are possible because of Bosan's sublime skill as a writer, not to mention Mike's skill as a translator.
Picking autumn plums
my wrinkled hands
once again grow fragrant
― Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
I think all poets can learn from the masters of haiku like Yosa Buson: how to make the most of so few words. You selected one of my personal favorites.
It's remarkable how suggestive and open to interpretation haiku can be in the hands of a haiku master such as Yosa Bosan. I choose to interpret the exquisite little poem below in terms of human relationships, rather than anything else - that is, somebody elderly finding intimacy again with somebody slightly younger and being reinvigorated by the experience. Of course, that is just my interpretation because it resonates that way with my life just now. And many other interpretations are possible because of Bosan's sublime skill as a writer, not to mention Mike's skill as a translator.
Picking autumn plums
my wrinkled hands
once again grow fragrant
― Yosa Buson, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch
I think all poets can learn from the masters of haiku like Yosa Buson: how to make the most of so few words. You selected one of my personal favorites.