Across Heaven’s River
with crimson leaves for a bridge—
is it for this that
the Weaver Maid waits for autumn
above all seasons to meet?
- Meaning
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Is it because the Heavenly River is crossed upon a bridge of crimson leaves that the Weaver Maiden waits especially for autumn to meet her lover?
- Commentary
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Book Four Autumn Poems (Part One)
The poem suggests that the Weaver Maiden waits especially for autumn in order to meet Hikoboshi because the crossing of the Heavenly River is made by a bridge of autumn leaves.
It reflects an old Chinese legend in which magpies form a bridge across the river, here imagined as filled with crimson leaves to carry her across.
- Author
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Unknown Poet
- Source
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Kokin Wakashu
- Other
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From the day it blew,
the autumn wind began to stir—
since that time, never
is there a day I do not stand
by the banks of Heaven’s River.
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By Heaven’s River,
you who keep the ferry there—
if he crosses once,
then hide away the oar, I pray,
and do not let him return.
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Longing, longing still,
the night we meet is tonight—
O Heaven’s River,
let the mist rise and linger,
and never let the dawn break.
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Heaven’s River—
not knowing the shallows, I traced
the white-breaking waves;
before I could cross it all,
the dawn had already come.