< At left, jokes by Nietzsche // Senryu jokes on right >
My Roses
Yes, my joy wants to amuse,
Every joy wants to amuse.
Would you like to pick my roses?
You must stoop and stick your noses
Between thorns and rocky views,
And not be afraid of bruises.
For my joy -- enjoys good teases.
For my joy -- enjoys good ruses.
Would you like to pick my roses?
--Nietzsche
As far as his mouth is concerned, He could climb Kanchinjanka. --Kenkabu
Medicine for Pessimists
Nothing tastes good to you, my friend?
I'm tired of your belly-aching.
You spit, rage, slander without end;
My patience and my heart are breaking.
I have a remedy; just follow
My good advice and rest assured:
A toad is what you need to swallow,
And your dyspepsia will be cured.
--Nietzsche
On the cooling bench; Behind them A toad is listening. --Santaro
Consolation for Beginners
See the child lost among swine,
Helpless, he can't even talk.
He is always, always cryin' --
Will he ever learn to walk?
Don't despair! Soon he will treat
You to dances. It is said,
Once he can stand on his feet,
He will soon stand on his head.
--Nietzsche
Four or five people, Inconvenienced By the horse farting on the ferry-boat.
Ice
Yes, at times I do make ice,
For it helps us to digest,
If you had much to digest,
You would surely love my ice!
--Nietzsche
Having grumbled at his wife Too much, He lights the cooking stove.
The Thorough Who Get to the Bottom of Things
A seeker, I? Oh, please be still!
I'm merely heavy -- weigh many a pound.
I fall, and I keep falling till
At last I reach the ground.
--Nietzsche
Falling downstairs, -- There is a mortal Uproar!
Lost His Head
Why is she clever now and so refined?
On her account a man's out of his mind,
His head was good before he took this whirl:
He lost his wits -- to the aforesaid girl.
--Nietzsche
When the hand-cart puller Sees a girl, He puts on a spurt.
Writing with One's Feet
Not with my hand alone I write:
My foot wants to participate.
Firm and free and bold, my feet
Run across the field -- and sheet.
--Nietzsche
When the teacher turns to the blackboard, He yawns. --Isan
To My Reader
I am the cook.
Good teeth, strong stomach with you be!
And once you have got down my book,
You should get on with me.
--Nietzsche
Somebody says, "You've got a bit of rice On the end of your nose." --Kenkabo
Poet's Vanity
Give me glue and in good time
I'll find wood myself. To crowd
Sense into four silly rhymes
Is enough to make one proud.
--Nietzsche
More than learning it, Getting rid of that appearance Takes time and trouble.
Choosy Taste
If it depended on my choice,
I think it might be great
To have a place in Paradise;
Better yet -- outside the gate.
--Nietzsche
Having caused the neighbours A great deal of trouble, He will never eat globe-fish again.