Poems

Find and share the perfect poems.

[’Tis the first snow—]

1644 –

1694

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

’Tis the first snow—
Just enough to bend
The gladiolus leaves!

From A History of Japanese Literature (William Heinemann, 1899). This poem is in the public domain.

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

The cry of the cicada
Gives us no sign
That presently it will die.

Matsuo Bashō

1899

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

’Twas the new moon!
Since then I waited—
And lo! to-night!
[I have my reward!]

Matsuo Bashō

1899

^{translated from the Japanese by William George Aston}

Ah! the waving lespedeza,
Which spills not a drop
Of the clear dew!

Matsuo Bashō

1899