miren naku chiru mo sakura wa sakura kana

without regret
they fall and scatter…
cherry blossoms

~ Issa

tracing pink petals

night’s storm determines spring’s end

I leave my heart

The month’s Utabukuro (poembag) prompt by Kristjaan at Chevrefeuille’s Carpe Diem asks us to take a favorite haiku (or tanka),  explain why you chose it, and write a haiku (or tanka) inspired by the first.

I was first introduced (at 8) to Issa and haiku. Though we didn’t have cherry blossoms where I lived, we created cherry trees on paper with india ink and pink tissue paper.  Haiku always signified art and cherry blossoms seem to sing/dance haiku as they tease and fly.