Beginning the Year 2010 With Haiku

HAPPY NEW YEAR FIDDLER KIN! A NEW BEGINNING IS HERE. I WISH EVERYONE THE BEST OF ALL THAT IS GOOD IN THIS NEW DECADE. CHEERS!

We had snow flurries in Hays on New Year's Day. Snow flakes twirled and danced in the sky. It was refreshing to watch, even though I do not like snow. I looked for well written winter and new year haiku. They are few and far between. I decided to turn to the master haiku writers, Basho, Buson and Issa.

Winter Haiku

Awake at night
the sound of the water jar
cracking in the cold.

By Basho

Cover my head
or my feet?
The winter quilt.

By Buson

A sign of blessing
Snow on the quilt
From the pure land.

By Issa

I am going to think of the dancing snow flakes as a sign of blessing from God. I do this to honor God. I also do this to honor Issa. Issa revered life in all of it's forms.

NEW YEAR HAIKU

Another year gone-
hat in my hand,
sandals on my feet.

By Basho

Basho reminds us that we have to be ready to greet a new year and all that it brings. There will be both joy and sorrow in 2010. We can celebrate the good times together Fiddler Kin, and comfort one another during the sad times. We are lucky because we have each other. Although we live in a world filled with injustice, there are many people who care deeply and work tirelessly to alieve suffering. The last poems are by Ryokan:

Thinking about the people in this floating world
far into the night---
My sleeve is wet with tears.

Ryokan also reminds us that nature's beauty can remind us of our own inner light. That light is a divine spark to help us find our way.

The rain has stopped, the clouds have drifted away,
and the weather is clear again.
If your heart is pure, then all things in the world are pure.
Abandon this fleeting world, abandon yourself,
Then the moon and the flowers will guide you along the Way.