Tea and Haiku Poetry

Haiku, traditionally Japanese poetic form, certainly includes some examples of tea as motive.The most famous poet of Japanese Edo period Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) wrote a poem "A monk sips morning tea". Here it is translated by Robert Hass.

A monk sips morning tea,

it's quiet,

the chrysanthemum's flowering.

Here is an example of haiku by Stephen Fox...titled "Whisking tea"

seamless sky

winter water

whisking tea

side by side

offering, receiving

stars drift down

moonless

winter rain

tea bowls passed

no dream

whisking tea

voice of the kettle

winter chills

sweeping the tea room

vows renewed

Title: Haiku poem written in calligraphy on board about tea

Time and creator unkonwn

Source: California State University, Sacramento Library