OM-HR

Named after my student-inspired mantra, Open Mind, Hollow Rat strives to provide fun, inspiring haiku in Japanese with English translations (that will also be haiku!). I'm still learning Japanese, so everything may not be exact. All posts are original and property of this blog's creator.

[om-hr]

Tree’s Bark

じゅひよう けねんをおとす せいちょう

as a tree’s bark falls so past fears are laid to rest to allow new growth

[om-hr]

Reign

はつがさく ふゆのとうちが おわらせる

with the first fresh blooms the reign of a harsh winter comes to a warm end

[om-hr]

Frost

こうそうだ つめたいさわり しぼうはな

a beginning frost chilling touch falls to the ground a flower’s last breath

[om-hr]

Petals

なみだよう ソフトはなびら しーんふる

numerous and gentle soft petals fall silently like tears from nature

[om-hr]

On Wings

ひろいはね つばさでにげる ついきゅう

with widened feathers wings take flight and through the sky solace is pursued

[om-hr]

Clouds Above

くもらせる でいりでへんさ そらをすむ

cloudy skies darken drifting lazily above cloudless skies brighten

[om-hr]

Roots

ねのもつれ ちとめいろする かたいもと

roots extend below tangling with the earth and soil entwined with the ground

[om-hr]

Gem

つちにほし ほうせきがさす めざましい

like stars in the earth gemstones sparkle brilliantly bright rocks of the soil

[om-hr]

Draped

ないなえば からだでさげる あがったり

dead branches hanging draped on their living bodies doomed and decaying

[om-hr]

Horse

はらにうま じざいはしれる じゆうのみ

horses in a field able to run, be content be truly free souls

[om-hr]

Nesting

すによんわ あしたのうたう おやくそく

in a nest,four birds singing of a bright day coming tomorrow’s promise

[om-hr]

Near

じこかいぎ かげようがいる つけまわる

self-doubt pervades minds sticking around like shadows following, stagnant

[om-hr]

Flashing

こうしょう きぼうをつかむ ほたるがり

glimmering away capture fleeting hope in hands firefly catching

[om-hr]

Tidal

ふてってい しおどきがくる さんじない

inconsistently chances, like tides, ebb and flow don’t squander good luck

[om-hr]

Stolen Time

じをぬすむ だましのこころ せいをすつ

thieving of your time a dishonest heart consumes a pure heart is lost

[om-hr]

Shipwreck

うみのした ひとをかきけす ゆうきょう

under violent seas in solitude from others a search for solace

[om-hr]

Tears

つゆをなく すずしいごぜん ひにしゃす

sobbing dew and mist these cool mornings condense grace as thanks for the sun