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

 
 
 

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

 
 
 

First week of winter—
 
the path to the rose garden
 
is dusted with snow.

 
 
 

White chrysanthemums
 
grow even whiter with snow
 
just before Christmas.

 
 
 

On this sizzling day
 
my thoughts turn toward mountain snows
 
two time zones away.

 
 
 

The first snow flurry,
 
butterfly on my lilac,
 
will come much too soon.

 
 
 

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