woodpecker——
leaves quickly fall
in the meadow
MIZUHARA Shuoshi (1892 – 1981)
The scene is Akagi mountain of Gunma prefecture. The woodpecker is pecking at the tree and eating insects. People listening to the sound of the pecking, also notice that the leaves were already falling in the meadow. This is one scene of the highland meadows of late autumn.
This haiku is rather new in style, because haiku usually describes in black “sumie” style, but this haiku is written as if in the oil painting style of the French Impressionists. So Shuoshi seems to have the eyes of a Western artist towards Nature, seen in bright sun-light.
Courtesy of HIA Haiku International Association
Selected by Takaha Shugyo
Translated by SATO Kazuo & Patricia Donegan
darkenergi 