Haikai

I.

White petals afloat

     On a winding woodland stream—

What else is life’s dream!

II. 

Butterflies a-wing—

     Are you flowers returning

To your branch in Spring?

III.

At new moon we met!

     Two weeks I’ve waited in vain.

To-night!—Don’t forget.

IV.

Oh, red maple leaves,

     There seem more of you these eves

Than ever grew on trees.

 

From Tanka and Haikai: Japanese Rhythms (1916) by Sadakichi Hartmann. These poems are in the public domain.