One needn't go on at length to capture the heart of autumn -- and of life. Sometimes (most of the time?) we say far too much. A single sentence will suffice.
Eliot Hodgkin, "Leaves" (1941-1942)
Blowing from the west,
Fallen leaves gather
In the east.
Buson (1716-1784) (translated by R. H. Blyth), in R. H. Blyth, Haiku, Volume 1: Eastern Culture (Hokuseido Press 1949).
Eliot Hodgkin, "Squash" (1952)
The wind has brought
enough fallen leaves
To make a fire.
Ryokan (1758-1831) (translated by John Stevens), in John Stevens, One Robe, One Bowl: The Zen Poetry of Ryokan (Weatherhill 1977).
Eliot Hodgkin, "Nine Peaches in a Paper Bag" (1961)
Along this road
Goes no one,
This autumn eve.
Basho (1644-1694) (translated by R. H. Blyth), in R. H. Blyth, Haiku, Volume 1: Eastern Culture (Hokuseido Press 1949).
Eliot Hodgkin, "Six Cape Gooseberries" (1954)
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