Like clouds in heaven,
does he become a distant one,
far beyond my reach?
And yet, for all that,
he remains before my eyes.

Meaning

Like clouds in the sky, does he become a distant one, far beyond my reach? And yet, for all that, he still remains before my eyes.

Commentary

Episode Nineteen: "Like clouds in heaven"

While serving at a lady’s residence, a man became intimate with one of the women in attendance, but before long they parted.
The man had entirely lost interest in her, yet she still retained lingering feelings.

This poem was composed by the woman and sent to the man.

Source

Ise Monogatari

Other

Where is the crimson glowing in beauty? White snow seems to have fallen bending the branches low.
The white chrysanthemums that glow in crimson hue— are they, perhaps, the layered sleeves of the one who plucked them?
Like clouds in heaven, kept only at a distance, all this while— it is the wind upon the mountain where you dwell that blows so hard.
For you, my lady, the branch I have broken off— though it is but spring, thus has it taken on an autumn’s crimson leaves.

Like clouds in heaven, does he become a distant one, far beyond my reach? And yet, for all that, he remains before my eyes.

Like clouds in heaven,
does he become a distant one,
far beyond my reach?
And yet, for all that,
he remains before my eyes.