If only my heart,
that feels such regret,
could become a thread,
then each falling blossom
I would pierce and hold in place.

Meaning

If only my heart, which feels such regret, could become a thread—then I would pierce each falling blossom and keep it from scattering.

Commentary

Book II, Spring Poems (Part Two)

A poem composed when a poetry contest was to be held at the residence of the Ninna Middle Captain’s consort.

The abstract feeling of regret at the falling blossoms is given concrete form as a thread, with which the poet imagines binding each petal to keep it from falling.

Author

Sosei Hoshi

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Let us rein our steeds, and go forth to see— in my old home, blossoms must be falling as though they were snow.
Why should I resent the blossoms as they fall? in this fleeting world, shall I myself remain enduring beside them?
With azusa bow, as I crossed the springtime hills, along the mountain path, so thickly fell the blossoms there was no way to pass them by.
I came to the fields of spring to gather young greens, yet here I am— amid the scattering blossoms, I have lost my way.

If only my heart, that feels such regret, could become a thread, then each falling blossom I would pierce and hold in place.

If only my heart,
that feels such regret,
could become a thread,
then each falling blossom
I would pierce and hold in place.