Tanka (May Moon)

TANKA

TO ELIZABETH

Against the door dead leaves are falling;

On your window the cobwebs are black.

Today, I linger alone.

The foot-step?

A passer-by.

SPRING

Down the slope white with flowers,

Toward the hills hazy blue,

A butterfly

Floats away.

MAY MOON

Milky night;

Through the resting trees

A petal-

Falling.

STORM

Against the gulls that play in the gale

The black waves dart

White fangs

Tn vain.