Trees

This Old Village

This old village–
Not a single house
Without persimmon trees.
— Matsuo Basho (Translated by Robert Hass)

The oak tree:
not interested
in cherry blossoms.
— Matsuo Basho (Translated by Robert Hass)

—

Moonlight slanting
through the bamboo grove;
a cuckoo crying.

— Matsuo Basho (Translated by Robert Hass)

With every gust of wind,
The butterfly changes its place
On the willow.
— Matsuo Basho

The banana tree
Blown by winds pours raindrops
Into the bucket
–Matsuo Basho