Haiku: Showing Thanks

Those two haiku were written to thank two guests Professor Beichman and Professor McKinney.

心づから求めけり高嶺の花

Deep within the heart,

Longing to reach, the flower--

High upon the peak.

季語：花 (for spring)

Commentary:

In this haiku, the kigo is the flower, a general spring kigo. I remembered professor Beichman mentioned that to her, choosing which phrase to use in haiku is like climbing a mountain, which is so difficult, but she and all the translators put their efforts in finding the most suitable phrases. That is the reason why I put the mountain scene in this haiku. The flower on the peak is the ultimate best translation, and translators want it so desperately.

果てのない ほそ道おくの女郎花

Never to an end,

The narrow road to the deep --

Blooming spider lilies.

季語：女郎花 (for autumn)

Commentary:

In this haiku the kigo is spider lily, which is an extremely beautiful flower in the fall. On the second line, I tried to weave Oku no hoso michi into the haiku since professor McKinney did the translation. The travel for translation is endless, but the happiness translators get out of their work or the translators themselves are the most beautiful.