you build the fire
and I will show you something wonderful:
a big ball of snow!

(Basho 1686)


I have separated this from its prose-written context, but what I love is that it's a gentle explosion. Like all good haiku, the spare writing creates space for the reader to wander in; it’s all subtlety. How I wish I could achieve the same.

Haiku

Tranlations from 3 Japanese masters. Love the delicacy.

No sky
no earth - but still
snowflakes fall (Hashin)


Come out to view
the truth of flowers blooming
in poverty (Basho)


Walking on dishes
the rat’s feet makes the music
of shivering cold (Buson)


More at http://www.geocities.com/alanchng1978/basho.html
http://www.toyomasu.com/haiku/