A Falling Sound

On The Trail With Basho Encore 5 a falling sound

This haiku was written by Basho in spring 1666 short after the unexpected dead of his friend, Yoshitada. Basho was almost 22 years of age when he wrote this haiku.

uru oto ya mimi mo su-naru ume no ame

a falling sound
that sours my ears
plum rain                    © Basho (Tr. Jane Reichhold)

Written today the after the news of my dear friend Cathy’s passing.

~~~

rain on the tin roof
no longer music to my ears
empty garden

as the bells ring
my heart trembles
falling petals