On this wintry day
 
I choose a little-known way,
 
where I walk and pray.

 
 
 

California drought—
 
we pray for a good dousing;
 
the gods are dozing.

 
 
 

In the rose garden
 
an old woman stops to pray
 
near the yellow ones.

 
 
 

It is hard to pray
 
when my plum tree is groaning
 
because of the snow.

Beggar

 
 
 

cloudy spring morning—
 
beggar in the temple court
 
prays for no more rain

Mantis

 
 
 

refusing to pray
 
before supper, a mantis
 
devours its victim