Don’t worry, spiders,

I keep house

casually.

][][

Goes out,

comes back —

the loves of a cat.

][][

I’m going out,

flies, so relax,

make love.

][][

The Hungry Ghosts

Flowers scattering—

the water we thirst for

far off, in the mist

][][

No talent

and so no sin

a winter’s day

][][

This stupid world —

skinny mosquitoes, skinny fleas,

skinny children

][][

Last time, I think,

I’ll brush the flies

from my father’s face.

— Kobayashi “little cup of tea” Issa (from Robert
Hass’ The Essential Haiku, 1994)