the love of stars,men and insects

David’s English
katydid--
caught by someone
waiting for the stars

一茶
きりぎりす星待人に取られけり
kirigirisu hoshi matsu hito ni torare keri
by Issa, 1809

sakuo Renku 連句
星人虫の恋の夜
hoshi hito mushi no koi no yoru

of stars, men and insects
the night of love

David’s comment
The haiku refers to Tanabata, a festival that takes place on the seventh day of Seventh Month. According to a romantic legend, two celestial lovers--the stars Altair and Vega--are separated by Heaven's River (the Milky Way). One night a year (Tanabata night), they cross the starry river to be together. A katydid (kirigirisu) is a green or light brown insect, a cousin of crickets and grasshoppers.

visit http://cat.xula.edu/issa/