Born Wanderer – Jisei – September 16, 2015

born a wanderer
through spring until the winter
seeking something new

 © G.s.k. ‘15

this unknown path
I watch light and shadows play
one last time

© G.s.k. ‘15

Written for:  Heeding Haiku with Chèvrefeuille  

In this feature Chèvrefeuille introduces the jisei or death poem.  It was common among Japanese poets (and in fact most aristocrats as well) to write a last poem on ones deathbed known as a jisei.  It may have spoken of the poets life, his/her last vision or emotion, the object of the jisei was to be a farewell and culmination of ones life.

Here are some jisei of the famous classical haiku poet Matsuo Basho:

ill on a journey
my dreams start to wander
across desiccated fields

© Matsuo Basho (Tr. Chèvrefeuille)

And two examples by our host:

my dreams wander
along the path of my life …
Honeysuckle blooms

Honeysuckle blooms
sharing her sweet perfume
I dream away

© Chèvrefeuille