Homage To Matsuo Basho Poem by Paul Hartal

Descendant of a samurai family
Page and friend of the son
Of the Lord of Iga Province
Great haiku poet
Creator of word pictures
In seventeen syllables
Matsuo Basho
I salute you.

Lover of plum blossom fragrance
Of thin layers of mist
The rising sun
On the mountain path
And the pristine elegance
Of the rice planting song
Matsuo Basho
Are you still on the road
From the monastery
On Mount Koya
To Kyoto?

When I read your lines
I hear the sound
Of Japanese temple bells
And see the white and pink blossoms
Of cherry trees blow upon
Omi Lake in spring.