My children are monsters, Kiro thought. And I am responsible. Perhaps if I had read them the haikus of Basho when they were little instead of that American manifesto of high-pressure sales, Green Eggs and...

Had I crossed the passSupported by a stick,I would have spared myselfThe fall from the horse.

Ah, it is spring,Great spring it is now,Great, great spring – Ah, Great –

Searching for the scent of the early plum,I found it by the eavesOf a proud storehouse.

A bush-warbler,Coming to the verandah-edge,Left its droppingsOn the rice-cakes.

Here is a greedy man who keeps to himselfThe beautiful pears ripe in his garden.

If I had the knackI’d sing likeCherry flakes falling