Reticence

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)