The old pond

Below is the poem entitled The Old Pond which was written by poet Matsuo Basho.

Please feel free to comment on this poem. However, please remember,
sublimepoems is a place of
encouragement and growth.
Read Poems by Matsuo basho
Best Matsuo basho Poems

The old pond

Following are several translations
of the 'Old Pond' poem, which may be
the most famous of all haiku:

Furuike ya 
kawazu tobikomu 
mizu no oto

 -- Basho


Literal Translation

Fu-ru (old) i-ke (pond) ya, 
ka-wa-zu (frog) to-bi-ko-mu (jumping into) 
mi-zu (water) no o-to (sound)



 The old pond--
a frog jumps in,
 sound of water.



Translated by Robert Hass



Old pond.
.
.

a frog jumps in
water's sound.



Translated by William J.
 Higginson



An old silent pond.
.
.

A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.



Translated by Harry Behn



There is the old pond!
Lo, into it jumps a frog:
hark, water's music!


Translated by John Bryan



The silent old pond
a mirror of ancient calm,
a frog-leaps-in splash.



Translated by Dion O'Donnol



old pond
frog leaping
splash


Translated by Cid Corman



Antic pond--
frantic frog jumps in--
gigantic sound.



Translated by Bernard Lionel Einbond 



MAFIA HIT MAN POET: NOTE FOUND PINNED TO LAPEL 
OF DROWNED VICTIM'S DOUBLE-BREASTED SUIT!!! 

'Dere wasa dis frogg
Gone jumpa offa da logg
Now he inna bogg.
'

 -- Anonymous


Translated by George M.
 Young, Jr.




Old pond 
leap -- splash 
a frog.
 


Translated by Lucien Stryck



The old pond,
A frog jumps in:.

Plop! 


Translated by Allan Watts


The old pond, yes, and
A frog is jumping into
The water, and splash.


Translated by G.
S. Fraser