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Thursday, June 02, 2005

Happy, happy !

plum in full bloom


David English
plum in full bloom--
a house without sake
can't be found

-Issa year unknown

Sakuo Japanese
梅満開 酒なき家は 見当たらず 
Ume mankai sake nai ie ha miatara zu

Issa Original
梅満り酒なき家はなき世也  
ume miteri sake naki ie wa naki yo nari

David comment
Shinji Ogawa helped me to understand the syntax of this haiku. He offers his own translation:

Sakuo image
It was spring night. Issa stands in full of plum blooming.
The air is full with smell of the flowers.
The still sound of talking and singing are coming.
All happiness is filled in this world.

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