Sizzling afternoon—
 
into the river a crow
 
drops like Icarus.

 
 
 

on the scarecrow’s hat
 
reconnoitering the corn
 
an impudent crow

 
 
 

White paper, black ink—
 
deeper and deeper a crow
 
sinks into darkness.

 
 
 

On the scarecrow’s hat
 
an impudent crow perches
 
to mock the farmer.

 
 
 

Crows, doves, dragonflies—
 
on summer days these pilgrims
 
sanctify our yard.

 
 
 

First day of the month—
 
a crow ruffles its feathers,
 
my plum tree trembles.

 

 
 
 

On a warm spring day
 
a crow visits my fountain,
 
dips his beak, and drinks.

 

 
 
 

From a red-tile roof
 
a crow blacker than midnight
 
hurls insults at me.

 

 
 
 

Crow on the fencepost,
 
can’t you still your noisy tongue
 
for just three seconds?

 

 
 
 

All day long the wind
 
keeps up its fearsome roaring,
 
blowing crows off course.