classic hunting haiku #8

This is another in our series of haiku from Issa.

year unknown

親と子と別れ別れや追れ鳥

oya to ko to wakare wakare ya oware tori

parent and children
are separated...
hunted birds

Shinji Ogawa notes, "The phrase wakare wakare (are separated) is of the descriptive mood, not the imperative (split up!). The phrase oware tori means "chased birds."

The hunters are using falcons to catch their prey.

Translation and notes by David G. Lanoue, who includes the following note: "Translations based on Issa zenshû (Nagano: Shinano Mainichi Shimbunsha, 1976-79) 9 volumes. Some of the translations first appeared in Issa, Cup-of-Tea Poems and Pure Land Haiku: The Art of Priest Issa."