Beautiful Haikus by Issa



I'm in a library and happened to pick up a book of haiku poems by Issa (1763-1827). I love it how in haikus the last line gives everything a surprising twist - these are my favorites:


Full moon;
my ramshackle hut
is what it is.

***

The toad! It looks like
it could belch
a cloud.

***

Writing shit about new snow
for the rich
is not art.

***

All the time I pray to Buddha
I keep on
killing mosquitoes.

***

Blossoms at night
and the faces of people
moved by music.