Basho's ability to get at the essential truths of an issue in so few words is truly amazing. The following pair of haikus shows two sides of grieving. While two friends are traveling, one must return home due to illness, very aware his time on earth will soon end. The first poem represents the ill friend's sentiments, and the second poem the sentiments of the friend who must continue on alone. For anyone who has grieved in any capacity before, these two poems speak for themselves in their honest, beautiful, and truthful natures.
On, on I travel;
Though I fall and die, let it be
In the fields of clover.
Today I shall wipe out
The words written in my hat
With the dew of tears.
Source: Basho, Matsuo. 1996. The Narrow Road to Oku. New York: Kodansha International.
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