A steady spring breeze
 
ruffles the apricot’s leaves
 
and lulls me to sleep.

 

 
 
 

Even as I sleep,
 
the river keeps on flowing
 
to the restless sea.

 

 
 
 

Jolted from my sleep!
 
Someone in this neighborhood
 
harbors a rooster!

Homeless

 
 
 

Midsummer evening—
 
on a street with no flowers
 
a homeless man sleeps.

Rainfall

 
 
 

on the cabin roof
 
rainfall just before nightfall—
 
sleeping well tonight

Blossom

 
 
 

A pear blossom falls
 
on the sleeping dog’s muzzle,
 
sweetening his breath.

Whirring

 
 
 

summer afternoon—
 
whirring of the window fan
 
lulls the cat to sleep

Lent

 
 
 

Sunday afternoon
 
during the season of Lent
 
sleep deprivation

Alone

 
 
 

drinking tea alone—
 
first spring rain on the rooftop
 
lulling me to sleep