In many ways I think,
Yet cannot ask if you think
Of me, or think not;
So the rain that knows my fate
Falls ever more heavily.
- Meaning
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In many ways I wonder whether you think of me or do not think of me, yet I cannot ask. And so the rain that knows my fortune or misfortune falls more and more heavily.
- Commentary
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107. River of Tears
There was a man of high rank. Fujiwara no Toshiyuki, who held the office of Naiki (responsible for drafting imperial edicts and keeping official records), had taken a liking to a woman who served in that man’s household and sought a relationship with her.
However, the woman was young and inexperienced. She was uncertain even in writing letters, unable to speak in refined language, and she did not compose poems. Therefore the man prepared draft poems for her, had her copy them, and sent them to Toshiyuki.
After exchanging letters that the man drafted on the woman’s behalf, Toshiyuki eventually took the woman as his lover.
This poem was composed by the man on the woman’s behalf after Toshiyuki sent word: “It seems that rain may fall, so I wonder whether I should go. If good fortune awaits me, perhaps the rain will not fall.”
When Toshiyuki heard this poem, he hurried over at once without even putting on a hat or a rain cloak.
As in the poem “Because it is shallow, only sleeves are wet, perhaps, in this river of tears; if I heard your very self flowing there, I would trust it,” Narihira shows his deep understanding of a lover’s heart. The poem conveys the meaning: “If you will come even through the falling rain, then I shall be happy.”
- Source
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Ise Monogatari
- Other
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