We are in the midst of a few cold, rainy days. The wind is up again and gusting in short, intense bursts that shake this old, jerry-built cottage, sometimes alarmingly. But the ancient ship still sails on.

Here are a few winter haiku by the Japanese master, Matsuo Basho.

Awake at night-

The sound of the water jar

Cracking in the cold

First winter rain-

Even the monkey

Seems to want a raincoat

Tethered horse;

Snow

In both stirrups