Two classic haiku, translated line by line. Japanese haiku resist being flattened into a single English sentence — so each line keeps its own shape first, and a complete reading follows after.
露の世は
露の世ながら
さりながら
露の世はThis world of dew —
露の世ながらa world of dew it is,
さりながらand yet… and yet…
As a whole: The world is a world of dew — and yet, and yet. Everything passes like dew; knowing this changes nothing about how hard it is to let go.
ふるさとや
寄るもさはるも
茨の花
ふるさとやAh, my old hometown —
寄るもさはるもdraw near or brush against it,
茨の花wild thorn roses, all of it.
As a whole: Coming home — every approach, every touch, is thorn-roses. Homecoming pricks like briars: the closer you get, the more it stings.