shadows crawl
an echo of children’s voices
from under the elms
影が這う
子供たちの声の反響
ニレの下から
goslings
a gander’s sudden honk
roams the backyard
bottle rockets
issue 43/august, 2020
ガチョウのひな
ガチョウの雄の突然の鳴き声
裏庭を歩き回る
the ash tree silver from sun rising crows
modern haiku, 51.2, spring, summer, 2020
太陽が昇るカラスからの灰の木の銀
the midnight hour
spruce boughs shimmer
in moonlight ice
真夜中の時間
トウヒの枝がきらめく
月明かりの氷の中で
junipers
snag the full moon
and a nightingale
blithe spirit,
30.1, 2020
トショウ
満月を奪う
そしてナイチンゲール
in the spiral
of a rose
bluet damselfly
blithe spirit
issue 30.3, 2020
らせんの中に
バラの
ブルートイトトンボ
an ant and I
share the sweetness…
showy milkweed
akitsu,
fall, 2020
アリと私
甘さを共有する
目立つトウワタ
puddling…
a swarm of swallowtails
after the storm
hedgerow,
june, 2020
代かき
アゲハチョウの群れ
嵐の後
forever in the shade
of pine trees…
father reading to me
failed haiku,
october, 2020
日陰で永遠に
松の木の
私に読み聞かせている父
a berry in its beak
dangling from the juniper—
cedar waxwing
Chicago Illinois botanical garden, 2020
くちばしにベリー
トショウからぶら下がっている
ヒメレンジャク
― Translated into Japanese by Hidenori Hiruta
Ms. Mary Jo Balistreri Kindly and delightedly presented her favorite photos to the World Haiku Series 2020.
Short Bio:
Mary Jo was a musician originally, playing the piano and harpsichord professionally for most of her life.
With the death of a young grandchild and the loss of her hearing, she turned to the music of words.
She now spends as much time writing as she once did practicing.
She has three books of poetry published and one chapbook.
Some of her latest work can be found: modern haiku, the heron’s nest, frogpond, noon, presence, blithe spirit, akitsu, bottle rockets, failed haiku, and others.
Please visit her at maryjobalistreripoet.com
She rarely writes free verse anymore and has dedicated her life to haiku and the study of Japanese forms.
https://akitahaiku.com/2020/03/23/
Here are words from her:
Thank you for reading my work.
May your days be filled with the satisfaction of good work, with passion and with humor.
Never forget all our wishes for peace.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Balistreri
Akita International Haiku Network 
Dear Hiruta,
Thank you for presenting my haiku and photos. It is an honor to be part of this beautiful space that you have created for all of us. There is peace and time for reflection. Coming each day to spend some time with people from all over the world is a boon to the spirit.
These haiku and photos are so beautiful! Thank you for sharing these.
Prayers for peace and good health.
Geethanjali