Midwinter morning—
 
I fail to imagine spring
 
and fresh plum blossoms.

 
 
 

Midwinter surprise—
 
in my left shoe a cricket
 
chirrs a morning song!

 
 
 

Midwinter morning—
 
the last stubborn oak leaf drops
 
into the dog’s dish.

 
 
 

Midwinter morning—
 
an old man feeding sparrows
 
calls each one by name.

 
 
 

Midwinter morning—
 
the hotel’s breakfast buffet
 
runs out of bacon.

 
 
 

Midwinter morning—
 
an old man with a prayer wheel
 
spins it in the park.

 
 
 

Midwinter morning—
 
I bow before the plum tree
 
now covered with snow.

 
 
 

Midwinter scandal—
 
in the falling snow, my plum
 
begins to blossom!

Yearning

 
 
 

midwinter morning—
 
yearning for the first blossom
 
on the backyard plum

Journey

 
 
 

midwinter morning—
 
preparing for the journey
 
no one wants to take