Poetry: “Winter Solitude” by Matsuo Basho

I spent all day trying to get a moment to blog. I ended up starting the beginnings of a longer piece about a folkloric creature that loves the snow rather than a quick post featuring a poem. So, on this very evening, I picked through some haikus and poems and found this one by renowned Japanese poet Matsuo Basho. It’s quick and timely….and it does read cold.

I don’t mind that most of my posts are cathartic these lonely, colorless months. It helps me through, and I hope it helps you, too.

“Winter Solitude” by Matsuo Basho

Winter solitude–
in a world of one color
the sound of wind.


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  1. Mark S Avatar

    Definitely one of my favorite winter haikus!

    1. Joshua Sampson Avatar

      Thanks, Mark S! I live this poem.

  2. Joshua Sampson Avatar

    *Thanks, Mark S! I love this poem (is what I meant). My iPhone hates me.

  3. […] of Oscar Wilde, who was unlawfully sent to prison for homosexuality. We also read and discussed Matsuo Basho’s short poem “Winter Solitude.” Moreover, I posted about the bogeyman as a piece of folklore, who transcends Western culture and […]

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