When many birds sing
in the spring that chatters on,
all things are made new—
yet I alone grow old
as each new spring comes round.
- Meaning
- In the spring when many birds sing with lively voices, everything one sees and hears is renewed, yet I alone grow old with each spring that comes.
- Commentary
-
Spring Songs, Book One
A poem that laments old age. When spring comes and all things are renewed, it is sorrowful to feel that, year by year, one alone grows older.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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- In the spring when green willows spin threads and weave them, so abundant with thread— yet the blossoms burst open in wild disarray.
- Pale green threads are spun and hung upon the boughs; threading white dew into shining beads— are these the willows of spring?
- In the deep mountains, not knowing which way to go, with an anxious voice a calling bird calls out— how uncertain it sounds.
- When spring comes round, the geese return north again; on the white clouds’ road they go their distant way— would that I could send word.