"First view of the foothills."
"Reckoning by the old ways, it's May Day
and Basho's anniversary.
So let's bound the thorn with the riches of rags.
Our first hill, West Lomond, gives the first view
of the oku to come.
Up the yards, single thread, the douce wee pools say, after you.
No, after you.
Basho's Ueno is Sonia's Orchard at Falkland,
cupped in the hollow at the center of it all.
Leaving behind olives, almonds, and peaches,
Sonia found herself this cottage garden and northern view.
Settling down snug, where the air of air
is flecked by blossom, falling in pinches.
Soon, she'll sew yarrow, button-headed scabious,
moon-rayed ox eye, lady's smock, lilac with a liking
for the Maspie's damp.
She's added a millennial scattering of natives
to the old commercials in the Orchard, small, stunted malus
with nary a petal to shed.
Forfar, Early Julyan, Lass o' Gowrie, The Blody Ploughman,
White Paradise."