The Gourd Flowers Bloom Comments

''Sap from the sponge-gourd (hechima) was used as a medicine to stop coughs or break up phlegm, but his family had been too busy ministering to the other symptoms of Shiki’s final illness to remember to collect the sap on the night of the fifteenth, as prescribed. Now the vine is a flower. Shiki, sensing that nothing can cure him or even alleviate his pain, sees himself objectively (and, even with a touch of haikai humor) as a Buddha-to-be choking on his phlegm.'' [Donald Keene]

The sponge gourd has flowered! Look at the Buddha Choked with phlegm. [Masaoka Shiki - Translated by Donald Keene]

very well written three liner poem.keep up the good work.