saturday shopping

this trolley has its own mind

just my luck - again

moonless night - each star

a tiny pinprick of light

against the darkness

from the prom a crowd

watch fun on the beach - a man

fights with a deckchair

in from the garden

with a bunch of daffodils

a handful of spring

MATSUO BASHO

was the most famous poet of the Ido period in Japan. He was born in 1644 and died in 1694.

He was credited for inventing the haiku and later became famous for his sayings.

do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise;

seek what they sought - MATSUO BASHO

-o0o-

-o0o-

early morning frost

leading her horse from the stable

their breaths mingle

-o0o-

sparkling with dewdrops

the cobweb's broken strands hang

from the garden gate

-o0o-

in from the garden

with a bunch of daffodils -

a handful of summer

-o0o-

the silver willow

damaged in last winter's storm 

slightly lopsided

-o0o-

 skint knee

the dog licks studiously -

then kisses her tears

Composed by LESLEY  Sept.1987

-o0o-

at the barrier

turning to go, one last wave - 

the sky darkens

-o0o-

now then, let's go out / to enjoy the snow ... until / I slip and fall

MATSUO BASHO

-o=0=o-

-o0o-

Sunday morning

scattered around the duck pond

last night's empty cans

-o0o- 

our tall sycamore

green over the grey rooftops

catches the bright sunshine

-o0o-

the barber's shop closed -

from an open window sounds

of close harmony

-o0o-

in the TV play

a door bell rings - I jump up

to answer it

-o0o-

standing motionless

in the river - the heron

teaches me patience

-o0o-

after the wild winds

die away a sweeter song

from the windchimes

-o0o-

dark threatening sky

along the telephone wire

a line of jackdaws

-o0o-

under the thick hedge

the old cat lying in wait

has fallen asleep

-o0o- 

the narrow lane / of wrestler's grass / dew on flowers

MATSUO BASHO

-o=0=o-

UPDATED EVERY WEEK END

an unwelcome guest

I open a window

"go home, little wasp" 

-o0o-

at the summit

the wee stream is in no rush

to meet the sea

-o0o-

turning the corner

the startling kaleidoscope

of a peacock's tail

-o0o-

not a cloud in sight

finding love under starlight

a million years old

-o0o-

funeral chapel

the waiting silence broken

by a cuckoo

-o0o-

huddled together

the three umbrellas exchange

high street gossip

-o0o-

moonless night - each star

a tiny pinprick of light

against the darkness

-o0o-

yesterday - hailstones

today - gentle snowflakes

tomorrow - who knows?

-o0o-

spring morning marvel / lovely nameless little hill / on a sea of mist

MATSUO BASHO

-o=0=o-

lots of plans today

but the shock of the cold floor

sends me back to bed

-o0o-

a rusty combine

harvester - all that remains 

of the old farmstead

-o0o-

anticipating

mealtime, the dog chronicles

her every move

-o0o-

end of the cold spell

the smiles of the office girls

lunch break in the park

-o0o-

excited squawking

from the budgie - a big cat

on the window sill

-o0o-

an endless goods train

at the level crossing brings

 the day to a halt

-o0o-

by the river bank

the still water holds the moon

till the image fades

-o0o-

a darkening sky

in the stable the horses

sense the coming storm

-o0o-

how touching / to exist after the storm /  chrysanthemum
MATSUO BASHO

-o0o-

UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

Easter morning

instead of rolling their eggs

they build a snowman

-o0o-

hailstones beating 

on the car roof - our dog hides 

below the dashboard

-o0o-

abandoned cottage

the wind through the attic space

singing a sad song

-o0o-

standing well clear

the boys watch the sparks flying

from the knife-grinder's stone

-o0o-

Sunday sermon

the priest no match for a bird

in the chancel

-o0o-

despite falling snow
the old lady ventures out
to pick daffodils

-o0o-

carved in the old oak
entwined initials - the year?
nineteen thirty-nine

-o0o-

framed in the skylight
the full moon, pink-haloed, bright
against the darkness

-o0o-

nothing in the cry/of cicadas suggests they/are about to die
MATSUO BASHO

-o0o-

UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY

admiring the view

one thing holds my attention

the cherry blossom

-o0o-

low tide - a long chain

of seaweed snaking its way

along the foreshore

-o0o-

at the level crossing

the steeple's long shadow  

lies on the lines

-o0o-

purple, yellow, white

a cluster of crocuses

brighten the grass verge

-o0o-

a Paddington bear

sat in that window for years

now - a vase of tulips

-o0o-

in shallow water

the tiny flounder hidden

in the sandy bed

-o0o-

after the cloudburst

hundreds of small wriggling worms

litter the pavements

-o0o-

the sun's last rays still

bright on the coloured awning

of the pier café

-o0o-

for a lovely bowl/let us arrange these flowers/since there is no rice

MATSUO BASHO

-o=0=o-

UPDATED EVERY SUNDAY