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Crow's by Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694) Timeline English version by Lucien Stryk and Takashi Ikemoto Original Language Japanese Buddhist : Zen / Chan 17th Century Crow's abandoned nest, a plum tree.     -- from Zen Poetry: Let the Spring Breeze Enter, Translated by Lucien Stryk / Translated by Takashi Ikemoto Amazon.com   / Photo by Nicki Verkevisser /	Themes   Bower   Spring Blossom   Tree     Recommended Books A Box of Zen: Haiku the Poetry of Zen, Koans the Lessons of Zen, Sayings the Wisdom of Zen, Edited by Manuela Dunn Mascetti / Edited by Timothy Hugh Barrett Classic Haiku: An Anthology of Poems by Basho and His Followers, Translated by Asataro Miyamori The Complete Basho Poems, Translated by Keith Harrison The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson & Issa, Translated by Robert Hass More >>
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

It's usually a mistake to try to explain a haiku's meaning, since its primary impact is not really comprehended by the logical mind at all. Most haiku aren't composed with intentioned metaphors; rather, the moment naturally resonates with nature's implied truths.

But, for the sake of play, let's dig into this one a bit anyway...

In this haiku by Basho, each line gives us a distinct element: a crow, an abandoned nest, and a plum tree. Basho ordered his lines so first we have the awareness of a crow, which can be understood as representing the busy mind, a bird that proclaims its presence by croaking in the winter sky. Like the mind, the crow is a carrion feeder, awkward in its movements but somehow suggestive of a hidden reality.

Next, Basho shows us that this crow has abandoned its nest. With the coming of spring, the crow has left, the mind has emptied itself, grown quiet, still.

An empty nest may be a curiosity for a moment, but its animating principle, the part that normally holds our attention has vanished, and so the vision widens and we finally notice the plum tree that supports it. Watching the empty mind, we finally expand our perception and recognize the full awareness in flower. We witness the natural, unmodified awareness of the Buddha mind that upholds mind and all creation.

Crow -- empty nest -- plum tree.
Mind -- no mind -- Buddha mind.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.