Issa’s Dream

by Michael Dylan Welch, Billie Dee, and Josh Wikoff

First published in Frogpond 47:1, Winter 2024, page 76. I wrote my two verses in April 2009.

Issa’s dream

the village flooded

with poets Michael

morning-glory warriors

in the nun’s courtyard Billie

Rorschach test

Bashō’s bucket full

of octopi Josh

the snail tells me

what’s on his mind Michael

road weary

Santōka trades his raincoat

for sake Billie

Shiki’s old mitt the color

of dried persimmon Josh