The Old Pond

Following are several translations of the 'Old Pond' poem, which may be the most famous of all haiku: Furuike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto - Basho Literal Translation Fu-ru (old) i-ke (pond) ya, ka-wa-zu (frog) to-bi-ko-mu (jumping into) mi-zu (water) no o-to (sound) Translated by Fumiko Saisho The old pond- a frog jumps in, sound of water. Translated by Robert Hass Old pond... a frog jumps in water's sound. Translated by William J. Higginson An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond, splash! Silence again. Translated by Harry Behn There is the old pond! Lo, into it jumps a frog: hark, water's music! Translated by John Bryan The silent old pond a mirror of ancient calm, a frog-leaps-in splash. Translated by Dion O'Donnol old pond frog leaping splash Translated by Cid Corman Antic pond- frantic frog jumps in- gigantic sound. Translated by Bernard Lionel Einbond MAFIA HIT MAN POET: NOTE FOUND PINNED TO LAPEL OF DROWNED VICTIM'S DOUBLE-BREASTED SUIT! ! ! 'Dere wasa dis frogg Gone jumpa offa da logg Now he inna bogg.' - Anonymous Translated by George M. Young, Jr. Old pond leap - splash a frog. Translated by Lucien Stryk The old pond, A frog jumps in:. Plop! Translated by Allan Watts The old pond, yes, and A frog is jumping into The water, and splash. Translated by G.S. Fraser