I once owned a book of famous zen poetry. I could swear I remember one of the haiku’s last lines being “Basho’s left foot”.
But googling doesn’t turn up anything. I think my googling sucks. Can someone please assist?
No idea, but aren’t haiku usually 5-7-5? “Basho’s left foot” is only four syllables. Are you possibly misremembering the last line?
Possibly but it was similar.
I can sympathize with your problem! Basho (I’ve also seen Bassho) may be the most
prolific haiku source of them all. Surely in the books I’ve read on the topic he’s the
front runner.
I suspect the precise word order and even the precise wording (synonyms for instance)
may be why it’s hard to locate online. Maybe if you can remember any other haiku from wherever it was you’re looking, it could lead to the same place you’re trying to remember.
All I got. Good luck! I’ll be following this thread, too.
Most translated haikus aren’t, though sometimes people try to force them.