Once they have fallen, though one yearns, there is no avail;
So today, if I am to pluck the cherry blossoms, let me pluck them.

Meaning

Once they have fallen, however much one may yearn for them, there is no avail; so today, if I am to pluck the cherry blossoms, I will pluck them.

Commentary

Spring Songs, Book One

Though it is painful to pluck the cherry blossoms in their beautiful bloom, if they are left as they are they will fall away; it is as though the poet were persuading his own heart that it might be better to pluck them now.

Author

Unknown Poet

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Why call it fickle, the cherry blossoms? They, too, waited for one who comes but rarely in a year.
Had you not come today, tomorrow it would have fallen as snow; Even if it did not vanish, could it be seen as a flower?
If I were to pluck them, would it not be too painful, these cherry blossoms? Come, let me lodge here and watch them until they fall.
In cherry color I will deeply dye my robes and wear them; for when the blossoms fall, as a keepsake for what comes after.

Once they have fallen, though one yearns, there is no avail; So today, if I am to pluck the cherry blossoms, let me pluck them.

Once they have fallen, though one yearns, there is no avail;
So today, if I am to pluck the cherry blossoms, let me pluck them.