Variations On 'The Short Night--'

Below are eleven Buson haiku beginning with the phrase 'The short night--' The short night-- on the hairy caterpillar beads of dew. The short night-- patrolmen washing in the river. The short night-- bubbles of crab froth among the river reeds. The short night-- a broom thrown away on the beach. The short night-- the Oi River has sunk two feet. The short night-- on the outskirts of the village a small shop opening. The short night-- broken, in the shallows, a crescent moon. The short night-- the peony has opened. The short night-- waves beating in, an abandoned fire. The short night-- near the pillow a screen turning silver. The short night-- shallow footprints on the beach at Yui. Translated by Robert Hass User Submitted "The short night--" Haiku Submit your own haiku beginning with the line "The short night--" and we'll post the best ones below! Just dash off an e-mail to: [email protected] The short night- a watery moon stands alone over the hill Maggie The short night-- just as I'm falling asleep my wife's waking up Larry Bole