The moon and sun are travelers through eternity. Even the years wander on. Whether drifting through life on a boat or climbing toward old age leading a horse, each day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
MATSUO BASHOThe moon and sun are travelers through eternity. Even the years wander on. Whether drifting through life on a boat or climbing toward old age leading a horse, each day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
MATSUO BASHOThe desire to break the silence with constant human noise is, I believe, precisely an avoidance of the sacred terror of that divine encounter.
MATSUO BASHOThe fact that Saigyo composed a poem that begins, “I shall be unhappy without loneliness,” shows that he made loneliness his master.
MATSUO BASHOHow much I desire! Inside my little satchel, the moon, and flowers.
MATSUO BASHOMake the universe your companion, always bearing in mind the true nature of things-mountains and rivers, trees and grasses, and humanity-and enjoy the falling blossoms and the scattering leaves.
MATSUO BASHOEvery day is a journey, and the journey itself is home.
MATSUO BASHOEvery moment of life is the last, every poem is a death poem.
MATSUO BASHOThere is nothing you can see that is not a flower; there is nothing you can think that is not the moon.
MATSUO BASHOSadly, I part from you; Like a clam torn from its shell, I go, and autumn too.
MATSUO BASHOThe sea darkens And a wild duck s call Is faintly white.
MATSUO BASHOHe who creates three to five haiku poems during a lifetime is a haiku poet. He who attains to completes ten is a master.
MATSUO BASHOReal poetry, is to lead a beautiful life. To live poetry is better than to write it.
MATSUO BASHOFarewell, my old fan. / Having scribbled on it, / What could I do but tear it / At the end of summer?
MATSUO BASHOThe temple bell stops but I still hear the sound coming out of the flowers.
MATSUO BASHOThe basis of art is change in the universe.
MATSUO BASHOSpring rain leaking through the roof dripping from the wasps’ nest.
MATSUO BASHO