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Friday, December 16, 2005

If not listen ?


Issa Original
時鳥蝿虫めらもよっく聞け
hototogisu hae musi mera mo yottuku kike

David’s English
cuckoo---
oh flies and worms
listen well!!

Comment
Issa compare cuckoo to a Samurai, named Tametomo who was a strong man with
bow and sward. In battle field he cried “listen well, Yah and Yah”
to his enemies. In this haiku cuckoo becomes strong ruler and
flies and worm are weak subjects.

Sakuo Renku
聞かずば使う弓刀あり
if not listen
bow and sward are usable

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