it gives no sign
that it knows its death is near
the cicada's cry


M. Bashoo

"Japan has 30 species of cicada, locust or cricket"

on a barren branch
a raven has perched-
autumn dusk


M. Bashoo

"His first masterpiece- 1681"

ill on a journey
all about the dreary fields
fly my broken dreams


M. Bashoo

"His final poem, dictated to disciples surrounding his deathbed"

along this way
no travellers
dusk in autumn


M. Bashoo

"Ill and old, Bashoo wonders if his disciples will continue his haikai tradition"

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