Thursday, December 27, 2018

New Year's Bashō

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.
~William E. Vaughan


I'm not sure one has to be a pessimist to want to see some years out :-) But there are some things that it's nice to have the same. Like poems on Fridays, for instance. A haiku by Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694) for the new year:

Year after year
on the monkey’s face
a monkey’s face.


Monkey World by Karen

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Mainely Write has the Poetry Friday round-up. Thanks, Donna!

13 comments:

Michelle Kogan said...

Thanks for ushering the New Year in Tabatha–I fall in with the optimists– though I do like having Poetry Friday on Friday. Thanks for the Bashō monkey haiku. Happy New Year, Cheers!

Molly Hogan said...

Hmmm...I wonder what William E. Vaughan would say about someone who can't stay up til midnight? lol Thanks for sharing the Basho haiku and Happy New Year!

Heidi Mordhorst said...

You, my friend, are one of the monkey's faces of my life, and I mean that in the nicest possible way! Thank you for always being there with some small intrigue to share, Tabatha. I hope you are enjoying family time and that everyone is hale and hearty. Happy 2019!

Ruth said...

Thanks for another year of poetry! And what a treat to get a card in the actual mail! Thank you!

Linda Mitchell said...

Oh, my gosh.....I am laughing. What a delight. What a surprise. What a wonderful post. I always prepare myself a bit for your PF posts. You do not post things that are to be skimmed through. Your posts require my brain and my true self to read and respond. I love that. So, I came here this morning all set for an experience and it was....just not the experience I expected. It was like getting caught in a summer rain and laughing. Love how much I learn from you.

Diane Mayr said...

Perfect poem for the new year! "Basho" means banana plant--I wonder if Basho the poet had many run-ins with monkeys?

Linda B said...

It feels good to have some things stay the same, like that monkey's face. At least that's my response to Basho. But I also love a few surprises, and often find them on Poetry Friday and on your post! Thanks for all you do to entertain and educate, Tabatha. Happiest of New Year beginnings to you and the family!

Carol Varsalona said...

Tabatha, optimistically speaking I never tire of bringing in the new year with fireworks...My one word hope ushered in a world of promise so I look forward to what 2019 brings. Thanks for opening the door with monkey business and Basho.

Joyce Ray said...

It is comforting to be able to count on some things staying the same. But surprises, good ones, make life interesting. Thanks for making me laugh with Basho's poem. Diane wonders if Basho saw many monkeys. I'd say yes as he traveled in Japan, and there are monkeys in mountainous areas. Thanks to Diane, I now know the poet's name means banana plant! Happier New Year, Tabatha!

Donna Smith said...

Oh, now that's rich! I love that from Basho. I'm playing the optimist, but I do have a bit of the pessimist's need of assurance that this past year is behind me! I'm about to take the ostrichimistic approach and just bury my head in the sand and call it good! LOL!

Whispers from the Ridge said...

So true, Tabatha! There is often comfort and bliss in the ordinary that remains unchanged. Happy New Year to you!

Mary Lee said...

Happy Monkey Face to you!

Thanks for all you do for poetry and for our community!

Catherine Flynn said...

This made me laugh out loud! Thank you for sharing, and a Happy New Year to you and your family, Tabatha!