Book #33
Lips Too Chilled by Matsuo Basho
A selection of Basho's most magical haiku.
I was confused to begin with here - they are not haiku! The syllables are all wrong! I soon realised that translating haiku is no mean feat; a choice has to be made between committing to the original meaning and feel of the haiku, or ensuring the words fit the structure. The former was chosen, and it was absolutely the right thing to do.
Basho, in such a tiny number of words, conveys seasons, nature, and feeling beautifully. It was amazing what can actually be evoked in such concise little verses. Being a novice, it could very well be the case that I’ve misinterpreted some, if not all, or sometime important has completely swung over me, however I found them beautiful in their simplicity.
snow-viewing
till we’re buried.