A caterpillar,
this deep in fall—
still not a butterfly.
Notes
Translated by Robert Hass
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From guest mokus (contact)
this isn't a basho's haiku, but a bad translation by an american (even good) poet. I'd prefer a literal translation much more than this freely enough translation. This poetry is very deep: if you were a caterpillar and you were in late autumn (with no chance to become butterfly).. do you try the same? Basho had pity of caterpillar and at the same time he esteemed it deeply. -
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MOD MESSAGE
We did write that this is a translation by Robert Hass. It would be nice to post the original but unfortunately we do not have a copy yet.
As for a different translation, well that depends on having the original to translate from. If you have access we would be glad to see an original.
Jim
Old Poetry Team
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I'm laughing at this haiku. Just Sunday I was with my daughter (8 years old)at a farm. As we were just standing around, she spotted a brown and black furry caterpiller crawling towards the road. We found it odd that the little guy had not transformed into a butterfly, and now, Basho's work from the 1600's confirms that he, too, found it strange the caterpiller he saw had not changed. I am hoping Basho's caterpiller had a chance; I think ours got runned over by a car.
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THis has always been one of my favorite poems, it just three short lines it says so much. Basho, I can honestly say, is one of my favorite poets. His words are simple, but say so much. This is an outstanding poem.
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Then there is still hope for us late bloomers? I like Basho's simple but deep insight into both the physical and mental worlds, and then I profit from his humor at the same time. Quite a combination!
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Very simple and yet profound. I am beginning to appreciate his style even more now. This has very nice imagery and the play of words is brilliant! I admire how he inserted a season {kigo} as well in L2, i.e., the season of fall. Really nice!
-Charishma -
nice
magic of words is there. i love his simple style
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