Would that there were no
rushing, stone-splashing stream—
O cherry blossoms,
I would pluck you and come back
for the one who has not seen.
- Meaning
- If only there were no rushing, stone-splashing stream; I would pluck the cherry blossoms and come back with them for the one who has not seen them.
- Commentary
-
Spring Songs, Book One
A plain poem that expresses the poet’s straightforward feelings.
According to old commentaries, this is said to be a poem by .
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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- As years pass, my age indeed has grown old— such change there is; yet when I look on blossoms, there are no troubled thoughts.
- If in this world there were no cherry blossoms at all, how utterly so— the heart of spring would then be so calm and untroubled.
- Can I only look and speak of it to others, O cherry blossoms? I will pluck you in my hand and take you home as gift.
- When I look afar, willow and cherry intermix— the capital, behold, becomes in this spring brocade of the season.