At my dwelling,
the wisteria waves
by the pond have bloomed;
when will the mountain cuckoo
come and sing?
- Meaning
- At my home, the wisteria by the pond has come into bloom—when will the mountain cuckoo come and sing?
- Commentary
-
Book III, Summer Poems
The swaying wisteria is likened to waves, creating a beautiful scene; yet the focus of the poem lies in the longing for the mountain cuckoo to come and sing.
- Author
- Unknown Poet
- Source
- Kokin Wakashu
- Other
-
- Soaked through with rain, I forced myself to break them— for within the year, how many days of spring can there truly be?
- Even when one does not think that spring ends today, still— how can one easily rise from beneath the blossoms’ shade?
- Perhaps it would not share the words of praise— “how lovely”— so, lagging behind the spring, it blooms alone.
- Awaiting the Fifth Month, O mountain cuckoo, beat your wings— and even now, I pray, sing in last year’s voice.